Canberra coach Ricky Stuart took a minute to praise the heroism of his players, before leaving his post-match press conference without answering a single question.
"In all my years of coaching … I've never been involved in a greater team performance," Stuart said after the Raiders' 34-31 loss to the New Zealand Warriors in which they lost three players to injury in the opening few minutes of the contest.
"We only had one player left on the interchange bench, I've never see a group of individuals who are down to 14 play so well, but yet, play with such adversity and play for each other.
"I know it's in us. And I've learned tonight it's even more in us. I've got a winning team in there."
Stuart's anger on the sideline was visible after Kodi Nikorima threw a pass to Ben Murdoch-Masila which was blatantly forward, but not called. The former Tigers forward scored and Nikorima converted, which cut the lead to nine before two more tries swung the game in favour of the Warriors.
Stuart was clear before anyone could ask that he would not be drawn in about the howler from referee Henry Perenara, or any other officiating decisions.
"I come in here because it's my job, I respect the fact that you've got a job and I've got $20,000 hanging over my head," he said. "If I don't turn up in here tonight I get fined."
"If all the fine money was going to the Ricky Stuart Foundation, I'd tell you the truth today. Because then I'd get fined and know the money's going to the best cause I know of."
He then headed to the door without answering a question.
"I can't tell you the truth, I can't tell you the way that game panned out because I'll get fined," he said. "I'm not going to answer any questions, I've done my job. Thanks."
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