Stuart steps down as Coach of Australia

ARL Chairman and World Cup Tournament Director, Mr Colin Love AM, said that Mr Stuart informed him of the decision at a meeting in Phillip St today which had been called to discuss the findings of a report into the circumstances surrounding an encounter between Mr Stuart, English based referee Ashley Klein and RFL Match Officials Director Mr Stuart Cummings at the team hotel at noon on November 23.

Mr Stuart was informed that he was to be fined $20,000 under the World Cup disciplinary provisions with the money to be donated to the tournament charity the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

In accepting the fine Mr Stuart also offered the following statement to be tendered at tomorrow