Eels and Blues for Ricky
Brad Walter
Date July 23, 2012
Chief Rugby League Writer
Passionate about Origin ... Stuart.
Photo: Steve Christo
RICKY STUART has agreed to coach Parramatta for the next three years, but he could still lead NSW's bid to prevent Queensland from an eighth consecutive Origin series win next year.
Stuart's manager, John Fordham, last night confirmed that the Blues coach had an ''in-principle agreement'' with the Eels, and a deal is expected to be formalised as early as today. By accepting Parramatta's lucrative offer, which is believed to be comparable to the $750,000 a season Canterbury paid to lure Des Hasler from Manly, Stuart had been expected to relinquish the Blues job because NSWRL officials insist the Origin coach must be full-time.
However, the
Herald understands that an arrangement could be reached for Stuart to oversee the Blues team for one final season, and he has remained in regular contact with NSWRL general manager Geoff Carr about the job.
It is thought that Trent Barrett, who was Stuart's NSW assistant and has been linked to the WARL Pirates job if the Perth team is admitted to the NRL, could take on more responsibility with the Blues in the lead-up to Origin.
The
Herald was told that NSWRL officials are yet to consider changing their stance about not allowing Stuart to do both jobs next season as he has not yet advised them that he has accepted the Parramatta job, but a proposal is being formulated.
Under Stuart, the Blues this year went within an ace of ending Queensland's domination, and he is widely considered to be the best man for the job unless Phil Gould agreed to return, which is unlikely.
With two games scheduled for Suncorp Stadium next season, there are concerns that an untried Origin coach such as Barrett, Laurie Daley or Brad Fittler could be thrown to the wolves if they were appointed under such circumstances.
Stuart, who coached the last successful NSW team in 2005, is passionate about Origin, and feels that he has unfinished business after the Blues' 21-20 defeat in the July 4 series decider.
However, after making an initial approach several weeks ago, the Eels tabled an offer at the weekend that was too good for the 45-year-old former Sydney Roosters and Cronulla coach to refuse.
The NSWRL offered Stuart a three-year contract last Tuesday but they were blown out of the water by the money Parramatta was prepared to pay, and Fordham said only the details needed to be finalised.
''We are getting towards a conclusion where Ricky will be with Parramatta,'' said Fordham, who continued negotiations yesterday with Eels chief executive Bob Bentley.
''We haven't finalised the agreement at this stage. We have an in-principle agreement but the fine-tuning of that and the paperwork is not done. I will be in contact with them again tomorrow.''
Fordham confirmed that Stuart was also keen to continue coaching the Blues but said the NSW job was not part of his negotiations with Parramatta officials.
''It is up to the NSWRL to decide that but they understand his passion for Origin so that could be a matter for further down the track,'' he said.
NSWRL chairman John Chalk said it would be disappointing if Stuart were unable to continue with the Blues but his view was that the Origin coach should not have a club job.
''We made an offer on Tuesday, and he hasn't indicated to us one way or the other what he decides to do,'' Chalk said. ''It will be interesting what Parramatta are throwing at him but we can't do much more than what we have done.''
The
Herald understands that Daley would be interested in the Blues job if it became available, and Barrett is known to have coaching aspirations.
Stuart has been consistently linked to Canberra but the interest from Parramatta became serious last week after coach Stephen Kearney brought speculation about his future to a head by questioning continual delays in finalising a deal to bring Michael Potter in as his assistant.
Despite Stuart being born in Queanbeyan, next door to Canberra, and considered one of the Raiders' greatest players, Fordham said he wanted to remain in Sydney.
''When the Parramatta opportunity presented itself it was the obvious one for Ricky to take so he and his family can stay here in Sydney,'' Fordham said.
Eels players said yesterday they had not yet been told by the club that Stuart would coach them next season.
