After weeks of speculation, Laurie Daley is set for a second stint at State of Origin level, having been appointed NSW coach.
Conjecture has been rife about the future of the Blues’ coaching role following Michael Maguire’s departure to the Brisbane Broncos after just one year in the role, which saw NSW win the State of Origin shield for the first time since 2021.
Daley has been the frontrunner ever since Madge’s departure to succeed him, seven years after he was sacked from the role after five series between 2013 and 2017, including a 2014 Origin series win.
He is said to have enjoyed strong support from several members of the NSWRL board, who were keen to give the veteran a second stint.
“I’ve got a burning passion for the state… I feel very honoured,” Daley said on Monday at an official press conference confirming his appointment.
“I love NSW, I love coaching, and this suits me perfectly.
“I like to think I’m a better coach. I’d like to think I’ve learned a lot [from my first stint].
“I never thought I’d have the opportunity [to coach NSW] again, but it’s come about, I’ve accepted it.”
Daley beats out other contenders in Paul McGregor and Matt King, who had both been considered for the role, boasting experience as both Origin players and assistant coaches.
King has been appointed as a senior assistant, while Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who also turned down the coaching position, has been named as a coaching advisor.
“I was looking for some guidance, I was looking for someone, if I ever got the opportunity again, to help me, and I thought he was the best possible person to do that,” Daley said of Bellamy’s appointment.
“I’m pretty excited to have him involved.”
Laurie Daley. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
During his first stint as coach, Daley found himself up against arguably the greatest Queensland team of all time, losing four of five series as coach and winning six out of 15 games as coach from 2013 to 2017.
His sole success was masterminding the 2014 series win, ending the Maroons’ eight-year stranglehold on the Origin shield under the likes of Mal Meninga, Billy Slater and Jonathan Thurston.
He was sacked in 2017 after squandering a series lead to lose the Blues’ third series in a row 2-1.
In addition to Daley, the NSWRL will also name the new women’s State of Origin coach on Monday after Kylie Hilder stepped down from the role in November following consecutive series losses, with John Strange taking the reins.
MORE TO COME
with AAP
Nick Wasilievhttps://www.theroar.com.au/2024/12/02/breaking-nsw-set-to-lock-in-familiar-face-as-madges-successor/‘Burning passion for the state’: NSW lock in Daley as Madge’s Origin successor, Bellamy named in new role
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