The costly error NSW cannot afford to make as obvious Michael Maguire successor emerges
NSWRL should overlook Laurie Daley and Trent Barrett and go with NSW assistant coach Matt King.
OPINION
As NSWRL's search for a new coach for the 2025 State of Origin series heats up, it feels as if the same old recycled names are leading the charge again. When Michael Maguire was appointed as the Blues coach ahead of the 2024 series, he was chosen not because of his name but due to his unwavering focus on defence and ability to inspire his troops to leave everything out on the park, exactly what Origin football requires.
However, reports suggest Laurie Daley and Trent Barrett are the leading contenders to become Maguire's successor after he relinquished the role to take up a head coaching role at the Broncos in 2025. And a brief look into both of those top candidates' resumes should be enough to rule them out altogether but apparently not.
Daley is understood to be willing to cut his ties to TAB and cease his role on The Big Sports Breakfast in order to get another crack in the Origin arena. But his appointment would show selectors haven't learnt anything from the past. The 55-year-old coached NSW in five series between 2013 and 2017 and while he broke the Blues' eight-year drought, it was the only time he led the side to the Origin Shield. Daley was then sacked at the end of 2017 after the likes of Andrew Johns slammed the coach for his lack of tactical prowess and inability to adapt as the Blues let a 1-0 lead slip.
Then there's Barrett, a coach who is yet to leave a club with fans going 'Geez he was good, we're going to miss him'. The 47-year-old has previously coached the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs and more recently was elevated to interim head coach of the Parramatta Eels following the dismissal of Brad Arthur this season. However, if anything after taking over his team has regressed. And that is backed up by his dismal 31 per cent win rate as coach - 38 wins and 83 losses.
Matt King the 'perfect' Michael Maguire replacement
Other candidates for the NSW job include Paul McGregor, Michael Ennis, Ben Hornby and the man I think NSWRL would be silly to not go with, Matt King. While I believe all on this list would be better options than Daley and Barrett, King is clearly the perfect fit for the Blues.
King was an assistant to Maguire during this year's come-from-behind series win and the main hesitation with NSWRL going with King is his lack of senior coaching experience. However, he bleeds blue, has seen exactly what it takes to win a series as a player and coach and can seamlessly pick up where Maguire left off. King also has experience as an assistant at international, state and NRL level and put simply he is the best and obvious choice.
King played 114 NRL games for the Storm and Rabbitohs as well as nine State of Origin matches for the Blues, before putting together an impressive coaching resume spanning a decade. In addition, King has received a supportive push from several key players involved in the Blues' successful 2024 Origin series win, with his tactical nuance and understanding of key areas of focus in the Origin arena pivotal in the Blues' successful 2024 campaign.
Matt King voices desire to coach NSW Blues in 2025
King also knows a thing or two about what it takes to win in the Origin arena, especially crunch games in Brisbane. Before the 2024 Game 3 victory, he was part of the most recent NSW win up north – a 32-10 victory in 2005, where he didn't just play a part, he scored a hat-trick to lift the Blues to victory. And after being an assistant to Maguire, King is confident he has what it takes to pick up from where he left off and be part of a NSW dynasty.
After supporting Maguire to the 2014 premiership with South Sydney and a further nine years currently with the Roosters as an assistant, King has developed a stellar reputation among the game's top coaches as a quality leader and an astute mind of the game. While he may not have head coaching experience, he has learnt under some of the best coaches of the modern era.
And ahead of a crucial NSWRL board meeting this week, The Daily Telegraph reports King held a heart-to-heart meeting with Roosters coach Trent Robinson where he informed the Roosters coach he planned to give up his job at the Tri Colours if he was offered the Blues top job. It is a massive show of confidence by King and Roosters prop Lindsay Collins believes he would do fantastic in the Blues top job. Collins described the coach as someone who genuinely cares and "as a coach, delivery of communication and getting that message across is a big thing and Kingy does that really well".
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NSWRL simply cannot go back to what wasn't working
The foundations Maguire built at the Blues are strong and that is perfectly showcased by the fact the entire coaching and high-performance staff from the Blues' 2024 series win have committed to returning in 2025, regardless of who is appointed next Blues coach. It seems NSW have finally found a winning formula, with a distinct vision made abundantly clear in the Blue Mountains. And it was something the players clearly bought into.
So the elevation of King from assistant to head coach would be a seamless transition and one that can continue the core values instilled in the group to help bring about a sustained period of NSW success. And Roosters coach Robinson believes the 44-year-old is ready to take the opportunity with both hands.
"He’s been coaching with us for nine years. He’s been involved in successful teams with NSW and Lebanon. People forget he was an assistant to Michael Cheika for Lebanon at the 2021 World Cup, he’s had plenty of experience and he’s played in that Origin arena," Robinson told News Corp.
"So he’s ready to go. People often see Kingy as the frizzy hair centre, but there’s a great coach under there. This is the thing, he’s got a great knowledge of the game, so that's really key.
"But his temperament at all times is really solid. His ability to regulate himself, no matter the situation, good or bad, has been his strength. Which is going to be needed in that arena."
