National Rugby League coach Ricky Stuart longs to bring title to beloved club: Ultimate goal

LAS VEGAS — Ricky Stuart bleeds Raiders green. The coach of the Canberra Raiders, one of the four National Rugby League teams playing in Saturday’s bill at Allegiant Stadium, played 11 years for the club and was a part of its glory days, winning three Grand Final titles. Now, in his 12th season coaching the club, he burns to win a title as the coach. “I’d give one back to win one as a coach,’’ Stuart told The Post on Thursday after running his team through a 90-minute training session in advance of the Raiders matchup with the New Zealand Warriors in a game that will be televised by Fox.“Yeah, we won three Grand Finals when I was playing, but you’d give one back to bring one now.

That’s obviously an ultimate goal of mine.’’ Stuart is one of the true characters among the teams here this week.He’s stocky with a rock-solid build, even at 58.

He’s no-nonsense, with a soft side as well, partially as a result of having an autistic daughter who he calls “the boss’’ and said changed his life. “People that know him know he’s just pure passion,’’ Raiders star Joseph Tapine told The Post.“He cares about the club, cares about our game.

He’s emotional because he cares so much, and that’s why people probably appreciate him a lot more, especially me as a player playing under him.’’ As a player, Stuart was known by NRL followers as one of the all-time trash talkers. “He looked like he was a cheeky fella when he was playing,’’ Tapine said with a grin.“I always said if I played against him, I’d want to try to take his head off.

He trash-talks now and he’s not even playing.He’s a bit of a piss.’’ A true measure of Stuart’s passion is the fact that, unlike almost every one of the rugby league coaches who coach from a coaches’ booth (like NFL offensive coordinators almost always do), Stuart coaches from the sideline. Because he wants to be in the middle of it.

Plus, it’s difficult to talk trash to th...