The coach of Australia’s Rugby League team has quit his post after intense and widespread criticism regarding his behaviour at the recent World Cup.

Ricky Stuart behaved inappropriately towards match officials after the tournament’s final, which Australia lost after an impressive performance from New Zealand.

Stuart did later apologise for making offensive remarks to the officials and was fined over eight thousand pounds but this did little to calm the feelings of those offended by his outrageous actions.

Numerous rumours have been circulating ever since the incident, which occurred after the final match of the tournament on the 22nd of November in Brisbane.

There has been mounting speculation that Ricky Stuart made actual physical contact with the match officials from England, Ashley Klein and Stuart Cunnings, the day after the World Cup defeat to bitter rivals, New Zealand. Furthermore, the verbal abuse was said to be disgusting and entirely inappropriate.

The Australian Rugby League revealed that Stuart would not be applying for the job as national coach for next season and the ex-coach has now stated that this was a “difficult decision to make”, particularly in the light of the “honour and enjoyment that comes from coaching our national team”.

However, he believes that the tough decision will suit both the game as a whole and his own needs. Stuart apparently remains aware of how important it is to protect and continue to enhance the image of the sport and, in such circumstances, it was clear that he had to quit.