That’s absolutely terrible. Perhaps I will never coach a player as bad as that in my entire coaching career.

Those were the explosive words from Canberra Raiders head coach Ricky Stuart in the aftermath of his team’s disappointing 32-12 loss to the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Easter Sunday. The defeat, which marked Canberra’s fourth straight loss to start the 2026 NRL season, left the Raiders sitting precariously near the bottom of the ladder and cost them two vital competition points in what was supposed to be a winnable away fixture.

Stuart, known for his passionate and sometimes fiery press conferences, didn’t mince his words when addressing the media. He openly acknowledged that some players in his squad were battling genuine form issues, which is understandable in the early stages of a long season. “I know there are individuals who genuinely aren’t in good shape right now,” he said, pausing for a moment as if weighing his next comments carefully. But then he shifted focus to something that clearly frustrated him far more than mere form slumps.

He admitted that his team still has players lacking the required effort and spirit. According to Stuart, the match was simply ruined by one player’s performance — a display so poor that it dragged down the entire group’s morale and contributed directly to the heavy defeat. The Knights capitalized on repeated errors, running in six tries while the Raiders could only manage two. Greg Marzhew scored twice for Newcastle, Dominic Young crossed for a double, and Fletcher Sharpe along with Phoenix Crossland also got on the scoreboard.

In contrast, Simi Sasagi and Ethan Strange were the only Raiders to cross the line.

What made Stuart’s comments even more impactful was the way he built up to the revelation. The press room fell quiet as journalists waited to hear which player had drawn such scathing criticism. Was it a young debutant struggling under pressure? A big-name recruit who failed to deliver? Or perhaps a fringe player who had been given an opportunity and didn’t seize it? The anticipation was palpable, with many expecting Stuart to call out someone who had been inconsistent or error-prone throughout the early rounds.

However, the name that eventually came out of Stuart’s mouth shocked everyone in attendance — and sent ripples of surprise through the entire rugby league community. It was Corey Horsburgh, the tough and usually reliable prop forward who has been a mainstay in the Raiders’ pack for several seasons. Horsburgh, renowned for his tireless work rate, leadership in the middle, and willingness to put his body on the line week after week, was the last person anyone anticipated being singled out so harshly by his own coach.

This revelation was truly unexpected. Horsburgh has built a reputation as a warrior for the Green Machine, often stepping up in big moments and providing the go-forward that Canberra relies on from its forward pack. Fans and pundits alike have praised his attitude and consistency in the past, even during periods when the team as a whole has struggled. To hear Stuart describe one of his senior forwards in such strong terms — essentially labeling the performance as potentially the worst he had ever seen from a player under his guidance — left many scratching their heads.

Reports from inside the club suggest that Horsburgh’s display on Sunday was particularly concerning in key areas. While his raw statistics might not look disastrous on paper — around 80-100 running meters and a solid number of tackles — the eye test told a different story. Multiple missed tackles in crucial defensive sets, a noticeable lack of aggression in the middle third, and at least one costly error that directly led to a Newcastle try in the second half were highlighted as major issues.

Stuart reportedly felt that the absence of intensity and mental focus from Horsburgh allowed the Knights’ forward pack to dominate, breaking the Raiders’ spirit at a critical juncture.

“I can accept players having off days with form,” Stuart explained further during the press conference. “What I cannot and will not accept is when someone switches off mentally and lets their teammates down. One player’s attitude today poisoned the whole performance.” These words carried significant weight, especially coming from a coach who has always demanded total commitment and resilience from his squad.

The match itself unfolded as a tale of two distinctly different halves. The Raiders actually started the game with promise, taking an early lead when young half Simi Sasagi crossed for a try in the 10th minute. Ethan Strange added another shortly after, giving Canberra a fighting chance at halftime despite trailing 10-6. The team looked competitive and showed glimpses of the attacking flair that had seen them finish as minor premiers in 2025.

But after the interval, everything unraveled dramatically. The Knights’ backline found its rhythm, exploiting gaps in the Raiders’ defense that widened as the game progressed. Newcastle’s forwards, led by a powerful middle rotation, completely overpowered their counterparts. This is where the criticism toward Horsburgh became most pointed — his inability to provide the usual physical presence and defensive solidity was seen as a catalyst for the collapse.

A controversial sin-bin earlier in the season for Horsburgh in another match had already drawn attention to his discipline, but this time the issue appeared to center more on effort and execution rather than a single moment of ill-discipline.

Raiders supporters reacted swiftly on social media, with opinions sharply divided. Some rushed to defend Horsburgh, citing his long service to the club, past heroics, and the physical toll that comes with playing in the demanding front row. “Horsburgh has been a warrior for years — one bad game doesn’t erase that,” one fan posted. Others, however, sided with Stuart’s assessment, arguing that senior players must maintain high standards, especially when the team is already under pressure from a poor start to the campaign. “Effort and attitude matter more than reputation.

If Ricky is calling him out publicly, it must have been really bad out there,” another supporter commented.

Beyond the individual criticism, Stuart used the opportunity to deliver a broader message to the entire playing group. Despite the harsh spotlight on one player, he urged the squad to “stick together” and insisted there was no internal panic despite the 1-4 record. “I’ve been in worse positions than this,” he remarked, echoing sentiments he had shared in the lead-up to the Knights clash. “We’ll get through it because this is a resilient bunch. There’s probably more panic outside the club than inside.”

He also called on his leadership core — including captain Joseph Tapine and veteran Josh Papali’i — to help drive standards internally. “I need help from the leaders,” Stuart stated bluntly. “We can’t keep dropping games like this if we want to turn things around.”

Looking at the bigger picture, this loss places the Raiders in a challenging position early in 2026. Once viewed as genuine premiership contenders following their strong previous season, they now face mounting questions about form, selection, and team cohesion. Their next assignment is a trip to Perth to take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a match that is rapidly becoming a must-win to avoid slipping deeper into crisis territory.

For Corey Horsburgh personally, the coming week will be pivotal. Can he respond to his coach’s very public challenge with a strong performance and reclaim his spot as a trusted leader in the pack? Or could this mark the beginning of a tougher period, potentially including selection changes or a spell on the bench? Stuart’s no-nonsense style has previously sparked turnarounds, but it also carries the risk of affecting morale if not managed carefully.

The NRL world remains divided on the comments. Some analysts on Fox League and Nine described Stuart’s approach as “brutal but necessary,” arguing that holding players accountable — especially experienced ones — is essential for long-term success. Others viewed it as a risky tactic that might create unnecessary tension within the group at a sensitive time.

Former great Andrew Johns, who commentated on the game, noted that while refereeing decisions played a minor role, the Knights were ultimately the superior team on the day. He highlighted Newcastle’s clinical finishing and forward dominance as the decisive factors.

As the 2026 season continues to unfold with plenty of drama, all eyes will now turn to how the Canberra Raiders respond. Will Ricky Stuart’s pointed criticism of one unexpected player ignite a fire within the squad and spark a much-needed revival? Or will it highlight deeper issues that need addressing before the situation worsens?

The coming rounds will provide the answers. In the meantime, one thing is crystal clear: in Ricky Stuart’s Raiders camp, effort and mental toughness are non-negotiable. No player, regardless of reputation or service, is exempt from that standard. The Green Machine must now prove they can bounce back stronger — starting with a determined showing against South Sydney.

Fans and followers of the NRL will be watching closely to see if this dramatic post-match moment becomes the turning point the Raiders desperately need, or simply another chapter in an already challenging start to the year. The resilience Stuart has spoken about will be put to the ultimate test in the weeks ahead.