http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,9035702-23214,00.html
Hasler courtesy call averts feud
By Dean Ritchie
March 22, 2004
AN 11am telephone call yesterday averted what could have been the first ugly coaching feud of 2004.
Sydney Roosters coach Ricky Stuart was cranky at comments his Manly counterpart Des Hasler made after Saturday night's match at Brookvale.
Hasler let it be known that the Roosters' discipline had suddenly become "perfect" following the appointment of former leading referee Bill Harrigan as a consultant this year.
And Hasler also questioned how the Roosters could get off their defensive line so quickly during the 42-20 victory over Manly.
"I need to hire a recently retired referee to coach us on the rules because the Roosters have suddenly become perfect," Hasler said after the match. "How the Roosters get out of the box so quickly and into the opposition's face, I need to find out and find out quickly."
In the Roosters' winning dressing room, Stuart said Hasler's comments were those of a "sour" coach.
"Des has been telling everyone how fit his side is. Maybe they should be fitter," Stuart said.
But Hasler rang Stuart's mobile phone yesterday to "clear the air".
Both coaches were last night reluctant to reveal exactly what was said during the conversation but Hasler told The Daily Telegraph: "I rang Ricky this morning to explain my comments.
"It's all forgotten. I'm fine, Ricky's fine.
"The comment I made about the Roosters' defence was a backhanded wrap more than anything else."
Although initially upset with Hasler's comments, Stuart said the phone call had eased any potential tension.
"I don't want to devulge what was said in the phone call," Stuart said last night. "It was a phone call Des made and I appreciated it. I'll leave it at that but the air has been cleared and it's now business as usual."
Asked was he surprised by Hasler's original comments, Stuart said: "Very."
Manly were yesterday viewing video of the match and could fire in an official protest to the NRL over the refereeing performance of Steve Clark.
The Sea Eagles claim Clark penalised them out of the game early in Saturday night's match.
The official crowd at Brookvale was 18,674 but Manly officials claim that police had to open the gates when 5000 fans were stranded outside after kickoff.
"It was a great atmosphere," Stuart said. "I thought it was fantastic seeing kids on the oval 45 minutes after fulltime kicking footies around."
The Roosters have however sustained a couple more key injuries with prop Jason Cayless to miss up to four matches with a knee problem while centre Ryan Cross has an ankle injury.
The Daily Telegraph
