Ricky Stuart, the head coach of the Canberra Raiders, has scolded the NRL for their inconsistent decision-making about whether players can use representative matches while serving a suspension.
An application by Sebastian Kris to use the NRL All Stars game last weekend as part of the suspension that would begin his season for an offense at the end of 2023 was denied by the Raiders and Stuart.
In the meantime, the NRL has granted permission for South Sydney Rabbitohs development player Jacob Gagai to use the game count toward a suspension he will receive at the conclusion of the 2023 NSW Cup season. This will allow Gagai to play in Round 1 against the Manly Sea Eagles in Las Vegas, taking Tyrone Munro’s injured place.
The NSWRL’s decision to exclude Gagai from using Friday’s All Stars match, which the Indigenous team won in Townsville, as part of his punishment was first criticized by the Rabbitohs.
