Laurie Daley has delivered New South Wales another State of Origin series victory, but reports suggest his second stint as Blues coach is over. Now the race is on to find the man who will lead NSW into the 2027 series.
According to reports from The Daily Telegraph, Daley is expected to step away after his two-year contract expires despite guiding the Blues to a memorable 2-1 series victory over Queensland. While Daley has not publicly confirmed his decision, multiple reports indicate he is not expected to continue in the role.
If it proves to be the end, Daley leaves with his reputation restored.
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After copping heavy criticism throughout the series for several bold selection calls, the Blues coach silenced his doubters by masterminding a dominant 30-12 victory at Suncorp Stadium. His decision to recall Bradman Best, back Nathan Cleary and make several late changes paid off as NSW claimed the decider in enemy territory.
Now attention has turned to who comes next.
According to The Daily Telegraph, six names have emerged as the leading contenders.
Trent Barrett
Barrett shapes as one of the leading candidates.
The current Broncos assistant has previous head coaching experience with both Manly and Canterbury and has spent the past two Origin campaigns working under Michael Maguire and Laurie Daley in the NSW system. His existing relationships with many of the Blues players could make him the safest appointment.
Matt King
Cronulla assistant Matt King has built an outstanding coaching reputation in recent years.
Widely regarded as one of the game’s best defensive coaches, King has worked alongside Craig Bellamy at Melbourne before joining the Sharks and is viewed as one of the brightest coaching prospects yet to receive a senior representative role.
Boyd Cordner
Few former players command more respect than former Blues captain Boyd Cordner.
Although still early in his coaching journey, Cordner has remained heavily involved with representative football and is regarded as a future coach. His leadership credentials alone make him an intriguing option.
Mick Ennis
Ennis has become one of rugby league’s most respected analysts since retiring.
Behind the scenes, he has also built experience working with clubs and representative programs, and his tactical knowledge has seen him regularly linked with future coaching opportunities.
Dean Young
Dean Young’s coaching stock continues to rise.
The former Dragons captain has worked under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne and is now building an impressive résumé as an NRL assistant. His calm approach and experience with elite systems make him another genuine contender.
Ben Hornby
Ben Hornby has also been mentioned after impressing as both an NRL assistant and interim coach.
Highly respected throughout the game, Hornby has earned praise for his ability to connect with players while maintaining strong tactical standards.
Could NSW Wait for Ivan Cleary?
One of the more fascinating suggestions is that the Blues could appoint a short-term coach with the hope of eventually landing Ivan Cleary.
Cleary has repeatedly been linked with the Origin role, but his long-term commitment to Penrith has prevented him from taking the position. If circumstances were to change in the coming years, many believe he would immediately become the preferred candidate.
For now, however, that remains speculation.
Daley Leaves on His Terms
Regardless of who replaces him, Daley’s second stint will be remembered very differently from his first.
After returning under enormous pressure following the departure of Michael Maguire, he inherited a Blues side expected by many to win the series. When those expectations almost unravelled after Game II, criticism intensified.
Instead of folding, Daley responded.
He made bold calls, trusted his experienced players and watched Nathan Cleary produce one of the greatest Origin performances of his career to secure the series.
If this is indeed the end, it’s hard to imagine a better way to leave.
Winning a State of Origin series in Brisbane is a fitting farewell.
Now the focus shifts to who can continue the momentum.
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