Ricky Stuart has a message for other NRL coaches who object to the Canberra Raiders' efficiency at stripping the ball in tackles: Don't get bitter, get better.
The future of the one-on-one strip has been under the spotlight this week after Stuart and Sydney coach Trent Robinson commented on it after the Roosters beat Canberra last weekend.
Ahead of a clash with the Melbourne Storm, who have been recently criticised by Souths for their tactics in the ruck, Stuart didn't expect any closer attention from the referees when they travel to AAMI Park on Saturday.
"No, because we're not breaking the rule," Stuart said.
"I thought it was a ridiculous comment last week about having to eliminate that rule.
"Just because you can't do something doesn't mean you have to get rid of it
"Because we do it well, does that mean we've got to be punished for it?
"Go and practice it, go and do a little bit of extra work on it like we do on it and you might get it right."
Stuart said the strip adds excitement to the game and reiterated his point the rule, and others in the game, should be clarified to take some of the pressure off referees.
Storm v Raiders - Round 22
Saturday's blockbuster clash will be a special one for two Raiders stars, with Jack Wighton celebrating his 150th NRL game and Joey Leilua his 200th.
Stuart said it was fitting Wighton brings up the record in what is a career year for the 26-year-old.
While Leilua has been stuck one shy of the double century for three months after recovering from neck surgery.
"He played a grand final at 18 or 19 years of age, BJ has shown that he can be destructive," Stuart said of Leilua.
"He's a big, powerful, explosive player and when his game's on he's very difficult centre and he's around one of the best two or three centres in the game.
"I have a good relationship with BJ, we understand each other, and I know this will mean a lot to him and his family."
Despite the tough task ahead of the Raiders to beat the ladder leaders this weekend, Leilua's return comes at the perfect time for the Raiders.
With four weeks left until the finals it gives the hulking centre time to reform his combination with Jordan Rapana and build on the foundation set with John Bateman inside of him.
"They haven't played a lot of footy together but hopefully going into the back end of the season they can find a little cohesion and it can be a powerful edge when we get it right," Stuart said of the trio.
Robinson: Stripping rule placing unnecessary pressure on referees
"It'll take a couple of games for them to get timing defensively back together but it's good to get Joey back three or four games before the end of the season so we can get some games into him."
The starting side reshuffle sees Bailey Simonsson move back to the bench in a move Stuart said is much more than rewarding his excellent form in his debut NRL season.
"It's sometimes more difficult for the coach to talk to the player about going back to the bench when he's in such form," he said.
"If I said to Bailey at the start of the season that he was going to play 20-21 games of NRL this year I think he would have been over the moon or thinking I was exaggerating.
"I'll get to use him, he's not there to sit there and wait."
Saliva Havili has been dropped to play with Mounties in a move Stuart hopes will give him 80-minute match fitness, something he has not been getting in the Telstra Premiership recently.
