<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>340977</docID> <postdate>2025-03-24 10:59:39</postdate> <headline>Stuart: NRL has abandoned obstruction crackdown</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-340978" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20250208167883948705-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Ricky Stuart says agreed interpretations on obstruction penalties have 'gone out the window'. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>George Clarke</strong> in Sydney</span></p> <p><strong>Ricky Stuart says he still doesn't understand the NRL's interpretations of obstruction rulings, despite sitting on a committee designed to crack down on players milking penalties.</strong></p> <p>Coach Stuart claimed the NRL had abandoned its no tolerance approach just three rounds into the season, after his Canberra side had a try chalked off in the 20th minute of Sunday's 40-12 loss at Manly.</p> <p>Seb Kris broke the Sea Eagles' line and touched down for what appeared to have been the game's first try.</p> <p>But a bunker ruling called play back after minimal contact between Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh and Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.</p> <p>Manly captain Cherry-Evans initiated contact with Horsburgh and then raced after the play.</p> <p>Raiders lock Morgan Smithies was hit by Haumole Olakau'atu after passing the ball that led to Kris' try.</p> <p>Canberra then conceded a penalty for the contact with Cherry-Evans, Horsburgh was sin-binned soon after for a professional foul, and while the prop was off Manly chalked up 22 unanswered points.</p> <p>Stuart and other prominent coaches were part of a committee including NRL administrators who met to discuss rules over the summer.</p> <p>But he said the interpretations agreed upon had "gone out the window".</p> <p>He said Sunday's game proved his trip to Sydney for the rules summit was a "waste of two days".</p> <p>"After 20 minutes, we had no football, and we got a set around halfway, and we score a wonderful try," Stuart said.</p> <p>"It's really difficult coaching when you don't know rules, you don't know interpretations, because I've got no idea.</p> <p>"We wanted to make defenders defend this year.</p> <p>"This year, that was what the rule was when Wayne (Bennett) and Ivan (Cleary) and I sat down with Ashley (Klein), Andrew (Abdo) and Graham (Annesley).</p> <p>"But that's gone out the window."</p> <p>Stuart seemed to infer that the hit on Smithies would be officiated differently if he was a playmaker.</p> <p>"My ballplayer got hit after he passed," Stuart said.</p> <p>"If it was a couple of other players, I know exactly where the penalty would have gone. It was my bloke. But that whole game changed there.</p> <p>"But something's changed this week, and I've got an idea (why)."</p> </body>