LAURIE Daley has stood down as NSW State of Origin coach, with his assistant Matt King tipped to take over.
Against the odds and the predictions of almost all pundit, Daley’s Blues took out this year’s series against Queensland 2-1 but he was always widely tipped to stand down.
Speaking on the Sky Big Sports Breakfast show, where he is a co-host, Daley said: “It’s just the right time.
“You’ve always got to be careful that you don’t make decisions based on emotion. You have to think things through and when we won game three you sit back and reflect – and that’s why I didn’t want to make the announcement straight away.
“Over the last couple of weeks, from where I was going into the series, to where I was after the game, it hadn’t changed. I knew my commitment was for that two-year period.
“I felt like it was the best time to leave and the best time to pass the baton onto someone else.”
King, 45, is expected to take up a two year contract with the Blues.
NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden said: “NSWRL owes a massive debt of gratitude to Laurie for the service he has given to his state as both a player and a coach.
“He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever pulled on a sky blue jumper, becoming the first NSW captain to lead his state to three consecutive series wins in 1992-94.
“He has also led NSW to arguably two of the greatest Origin series wins of all time as a coach, after ending Queensland’s eight-year winning streak in 2014 and overcoming adversity to steer the Blues home in 2026.
“Those wins transcended football. They lifted and reinvigorated the whole state. He deserves to leave the NSW Origin arena as the hero that he is.”
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