SYDNEY - Ricky Stuart has stood down from his post as coach of the Australian league team.
Stuart's future was in doubt after he allegedly abused referee Ashley Klein and British referees official Stuart Cummings the day after Australia's shock 20-34 loss to New Zealand in last month'sWorld Cup final.
Stuart was angry over a number of refereeing decisions in the final.
The Rugby League International Federation appointed barrister Robert Weber, SC, to independently investigate complaints from Klein and Cummings that they were abused by Stuart the day after the loss.
He allegedly used a string of expletives in calling Klein a "cheat" who "cost us the World Cup" when he saw the whistle-blower in their Brisbane hotel foyer.
Weber interviewed Stuart, Klein and other witnesses in compiling the report presented to the RLIF last week.
Stuart's contract expired at the end of this season.
In apologising in a statement released through his manager John Fordham last week, Stuart described his post-match conduct as "inappropriate and offensive".
He regretted losing control but said the emotion of the upset in the final, which included three Kiwi tries he took issue with, had not subsided by the next morning.
"It's a hard thing for me to admit, but I was certainly not in control of my emotions at the time and acted irresponsibly and irrationally," wrote Stuart in his apology. "But that's not an excuse for my behaviour.
"This has been the most difficult decision to make in view of the great honour and enjoyment that comes from coaching our national team," Stuart said. "I believe that making this decision is in the best interests of the game and for me personally."
Stuart, who had his first chance to review the report on Monday, said he has apologised to everyone involved.
Weber's report was damning, finding that Stuart had come into physical contact with Cummings and his abuse of both officials, while not loud, was "littered with profanities".
