NSW officials haven’t ruled out approaching a club-contracted NRL coach to replace Ricky Stuart as they continue their search for the man to end Queensland’s State of Origin reign.
NSWRL general manager Geoff Carr and chairman John Chalk are embarking on a mission to sort fact from fiction – and work out exactly which of the proposed coaches actually want to take on the enormous task of ending Queensland’s seven-year dominance.
Since Stuart accepted the job of Parramatta’s head coach from 2013 onwards, many candidates have been tossed up as his potential successor.
Recent betting markets have former champion Blues five-eighth Laurie Daley as the new favourite, while Canterbury assistant Jim Dymock, Blues assistant Trent Barrett and City coach Brad Fittler are all considered a strong chance.
Carr says the search will involve contacting anyone who has been mooted as an option – ranging from those linked by media speculation to those who are simply the best credentialed.
Despite Stuart standing down from the Blues so soon after accepting the Eels gig, and the report from two years ago finding a full-time coach would be preferable to someone also performing a club job, Carr said no one was off limits.
That means the likes of Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy and even rookies Michael Maguire of South Sydney and Geoff Toovey of Manly would be considered.
It is understood some board members have made it clear club commitments should not prevent the best coach being approached.
“I’m contacting everybody that has been speculated on in the media or otherwise as a prospective NSW coach,” Carr told AAP on Thursday.
“So then I can come up with a definitive list of who the board should be considering.
“Before the board can consider any of these people, they’ve at least got to know whether they’re interested in the job.
“So I’m trying to work through all those people and contact them in person about issues around Origin coaching.”
While there is no definitive time for the board to reconvene, it is understood members expect to discuss the findings of the search before their next meeting scheduled for early September.
NSW’s finest Origin coach, Phil Gould, said he has not been approached but would decline the job, if it were offered.
And Gould said it made sense to put a club coach in charge of the Blues.
“Your best coaches are coaching club teams,” Gould told reporters.
“Ricky’s has done a great job and now he’s got a club job and suddenly he can’t be the coach. I can’t agree with that.”
Sydney Roosters captain Braith Anasta, who has represented the Blues ten times, said Fittler would be the ideal inspirational leader to take control in Origin.
Fittler enjoyed limited success as club coach of the Roosters, lasting just over two seasons and finishing with the wooden spoon in 2009, his last before being punted.
“Freddie was great while he was here … If you want anyone inspirational to lead the NSW team, then why look anywhere else?” Anasta told reporters.
