Stuart slams Wing's father
By Dean Ritchie
March 27, 2006
AN irate coach Ricky Stuart last night made it clear his champion utility player Craig Wing would not be released by the Sydney Roosters.
Responding to an outburst from Wing's father in The Sunday Telegraph, Stuart said Wing was "embarrassed and humiliated" and had phoned him yesterday morning to apologise for his father's comments.
Stuart's anger came after Wing played a key role in the Sydney Roosters stunning 56-20 win over Canberra yesterday at Aussie Stadium.
The Wing drama comes as Canberra last night defended the performance of coach Matt Elliott, whose side has conceded 126 points in its past two games.
The Roosters supporters chanted "We want Wing" early yesterday and Stuart thrust his utility player into the match after just nine minutes. Wing was under scrutiny after father Allan claimed his son was humiliated at being chosen to play off the bench this season.
Wing snr also accused the Roosters of trying to squeeze Craig out of the Roosters camp. But Stuart fired back, comparing Wing's father to controversial tennis dad Damir Dokic. "Let's say on the record that there is not a problem between Craig Wing and myself," Stuart said.
"There is not a problem between Craig Wing and the club. Craig Wing won't be getting a release.
"He is the favourite son of this club and one of the best players in Australia and the world. It's very easy to ring up a bloke [Allan Wing] who likes to talk and give an opinion.
"There was a lot of pressure on Craig today. He was humiliated and really embarrassed, the poor bugger.
"I had him on the phone this morning and he was apologising to me. He didn't have to do that. It's like a tennis writer who can't find a story - they ring up Damir Dokic."
Stuart said Wing's selection on the bench was for tactical reasons.
"Craig the best utility player in the game," Stuart said. "He is on our bench for a reason. I'm not going to discuss my tactics and reasons for that, it is a strategy. I am very comfortable with what I'm doing at the moment."
Wing was shielded from the media after the game by Roosters officials.
The Test and NSW player met with his manager Steve Gillis on Friday at a cafe in Bondi. "We catch up quite regularly," Gillis said.
Gillis denied there was any talk his client was unsettled at Bondi.
"He'd love to start - Craig's a first grade footballer, they all want to start," Gillis said.
"But there was no talk that he wasn't happy or that he didn't want to be there."
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