Canberra Raiders recruitment, Ricky Stuart future as coach, Jack Wighton to test
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Phil Rothfield believes a failed bid for Gold Coast forward David Fifita speaks volumes to the biggest problem at Canberra as the spotlight turned to the nation’s capital on Monday night.
Speaking on NRL 360 in the wake of the Raiders’ humiliating collapse against the Panthers, Rothfield argued that issues with recruitment will continue to hold Ricky Stuart’s side back.
The Daily Telegraph columnist also claimed the latest defeat was a “bad sign” after star five-eighth Jack Wighton revealed his desire to test himself on the open market earlier in the week.
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“They are bad signs, particularly with their marquee man Jack Wighton on the open market or looking to extend elsewhere,” Rothfield said.
“They tell me as much as it is about money he also wants a premiership ring one day and you look at that Canberra side and there is concern about the roster. In their favour, they have a very strong SG Ball side leading the competition, 18-year-olds though, they’re not ready for NRL.
“They have a recruitment problem and it’s got nothing to do with Ricky or Don Furner. It’s geographical. They brought in Poms — Bateman, Williams and Whitehead — but they haven’t been able to land big names because no one wants to live in the national capital in the middle of winter.”
Rothfield said that point was only further illustrated in the club’s failed pursuit of Fifita, who ended up staying on the Gold Coast instead.
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“Ricky Stuart was on the Gold Coast in January,” Rothfield added.
“He met up with David Fifita, the most explosive forward in the game, he did a terrific sell for what he had on offer at Canberra. But he didn’t want to move to the national capital, simple as that.”
James Hooper reported back in January that Canberra had tabled an offer around the $2.7 million mark over three years to try lure Fifita to the nation’s capital.
Stuart, meanwhile, told Hooper at the time that he believed Fifita would be a “perfect fit” at the club.
“I’ve had time with David and his family,” Stuart said.
“David’s got a big decision to make and we’ve told him why we believe he’d be a perfect fit at the Raiders. We’re very fortunate that we’ve got an extremely experienced, talented forward pack and adding David would only make us even stronger.
“I’ve told David I believe our leaders could really benefit him.”
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Canberra Raiders recruitment, Ricky Stuart future as coach, Jack Wighton to test 2023-04-03 20:00:34