Australian coach Ricky Stuart has belatedly apologised for his "offensive" behaviour toward rugby league World Cup officials at the weekend.
Stuart's manager John Fordham issued a statement on Friday saying the coach sent separate apologies on Thursday to World Cup final referee Ashley Klein and British referees official Stuart Cummings for his comments in a Brisbane hotel on Sunday.
Describing his conduct as "inappropriate and offensive", Stuart said that the emotion that set in following Australia's 34-20 upset loss to New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night had not subsided by the next morning.
"Still on my mind were the disappointed faces of my players who had worked so hard during the tournament," said Stuart in the statement.
Stuart is the subject of a Rugby League International Federation investigation after he allegedly called Klein a "f...ing cheat" and "the c... who cost us the World Cup" when he saw the officials in a hotel foyer.
Stuart said losing control in the manner he did was "something for which I now deeply regret".
"It's a hard thing for me to admit, but I was certainly not in control of my emotions at the time and acted irresponsibly and irrationally," wrote Stuart in his apology, adding "but that's not an excuse for my behaviour".
The statement said Stuart was trying to contact Klein and Cummings to personally convey his apology.
Stuart will return to Sydney from leave early next week to respond to alleged breaches of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup's Code of Conduct.
The matter is being independently investigated for the RLIF by Robert Weber SC.
