RICKY Stuart has been appointed coach of the Australia rugby league team for 2006.
His appointment was announced by the Australian Rugby League today.
The Sydney Roosters mentor replaces Wayne Bennett, who resigned on Friday in the wake of the the Tri-Nations final loss to New Zealand.
ARL chairman Colin Love said Stuart would step down from his current representative role as New South Wales State of Origin coach, with North Queenland Cowboys coach Graham Murray taking over that job for the coming season