Rugby League: Ricky Stuart pops 'myth'

New Australian league coach Ricky Stuart has responded to stinging comments Wayne Bennett made about his coaching, suggesting his predecessor's guru-like status in the sport was a "myth".

Bennett, who stood down as Kangaroos coach last week following his team's 24-0 loss to New Zealand in the Tri-Nations final in England, rang a Brisbane radio station to respond to suggestions Stuart would curb player drinking more effectively than Bennett had.
"It comes to be expected," Stuart told Sydney radio station 2KY yesterday when asked about Bennett's comments.

"For a man who doesn't talk to the media he uses it very well when he has to or wants to. A lot of things he said were wrong."

Stuart suggested Bennett's stature in the game was less mystical than some had made it out to be.

"There's been a number of signs of weakness from Wayne over the years, and I don't really fall under the myth of his so-called guru-ism," he said.