Canberra Raiders winger Jed Stuart, son of coach Ricky, might not be watching the NRL finals from the sideline after all with Xavier Savage’s season-ending injury set to see him remain in the starting XIII. Stuart has done a stellar job since being given his debut in Savelio Tamale’s absence after the young winger went down injured with a dislocated knee earlier in the year.
Tamale was one of the rookie stars to emerge in 2025 and was tearing it up on the left wing for Canberra during their surge to the top of the ladder. However, the injury saw coach Stuart face the difficult decision over who will replace him.
And coach Stuart admitted the dressing room gave him the backing to hand his son a debut in round 15. Jed Stuart has been in great form for the Raiders having scored four tries in eight games. The winger was also played a huge part in the miracle golden point win over the Panthers last weekend.
Canberra Raiders winger Jed Stuart, son of coach Ricky (pictured right), is set to remain in the starting XIII after Xavier Savage’s (pictured left) will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured shoulder. (Images: Getty Images)
Liam Martin opted not to tackle Stuart after Nathan Cleary’s field-goal attempt hit the post and the winger jumped into the air to catch the bouncing ball. The Raiders winger offloaded it to Ethan Strange who made the linebreak and Kaeo Weekes scored the winner in golden point.
Stuart has helped maintain the Raiders’ surge for the minor premiership with just two games to go before the winner is decided. However, Tamale has returned to training and is expected to make a comeback in round 26 against the Tigers.
Ricky’s son admitted he would accept it if he made way for Tamale when he returns with the 24-year-old adopting a ‘team-first’ attitude heading into the NRL finals. Although the latest news on Savage is set to see Stuart and Tamale both play in the team when available.
Xavier Savage ruled out for remainder of season
Savage injured his shoulder in the first half of the Raiders’ win over the Panthers last week in Mudgee. The winger attempted to play on and made it to half-time, but didn’t return having been severely hampered by the injury.
Unfortunately for the winger, scans have since confirmed a fractured shoulder. Savage has been ruled out for the remaining two games of the regular season and the NRL finals. Savage had scored 12 tries in 21 appearances for the Raiders in 2025 and his speed was a huge asset to the Canberra backline.
Savelio Tamale expected to return against Tigers
Savage’s season-ending injury will most likely see Stuart push over to the right side of the field with Tamale expected to return to his left edge. Tamale had scored six tries in his 14 appearances before his injury, but it was his tackle breaking ability that was leaving fans in awe.
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The 20-year-old winger had made 76 tackle breaks in the 14 games and was averaging 156 running metres for his side. Tamale’s return adds physicality to the Raiders backline and will boost their chances heading into the NRL finals.
Xavier Savage’s season is over after scans revealed he fractured his shoulder in Round 25.
Will meet with a specialist to determine if surgery is required, but expected to miss at least 8 weeks either way. Should be fit to start Raiders’ 2026 preseason training later this year. pic.twitter.com/rejAp6TOtm
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 25, 2025
Ricky Stuart reveals dressing room decision about son
After Jed Stuart’s debut earlier this season against the Tigers, Stuart admitted he didn’t just make the decision to select his son by himself. The coach revealed he approached the playing group and captain Joseph Tapine and the senior players gave him the support he needed to make the call.
“The senior players are a massive support to me,” Stuart said. “When I talked to the Club 82 boys led by Joe (Tapine), they wanted nothing else but to put Jed in there and that gave me confidence to select him.
“There’s no way I would have thrown Jed in there if I didn’t have the support of my players. Personally, I knew he was ready. But I still needed to make sure that I had confidence from the boys.”
Jed Stuart (pictured) is set to play on the right wing this week with Xavier Savage ruled out for the season.