The Australian coach Ricky Stuart has apologised belatedly for his "offensive" behaviour toward rugby league World Cup officials.
In a statement issued through his manager he says he's sent apologies to the World Cup final referee Ashley Klein and British referees official Stuart Cummings and wants to talk to them, too.
Stuart is the subject of a Rugby League International Federation investigation after reports he used several obscenities and accused Klein of cheating.
The outburst was heard in a hotel foyer the morning after New Zealand won the World Cup.
He says the emotion that set in after the upset loss hadn 't subsided and he deeply regrets losing control and acting irresponsibly and irrationally, although that's no excuse for his behaviour.
