New South Wales have brought back Laurie Daley as State of Origin coach almost a decade after his initial stint in the role, while Craig Bellamy has been drafted in to work with Daley in a new advisory role.
Outgoing coach Michael Maguire led the Blues to a series win in his first year in charge but left in September to take up a job with the Brisbane Broncos.
Daley, who won five series as a player for the Blues, has coached the Indigenous All Stars and appeared in the media spruiking odds for gambling company Tab in the years since his departure.
He said on Monday he loves his state and the job of coaching, and never thought he’d be given another opportunity.
“Michael Maguire did a fantastic job last year, and we’re hoping to continue on what he left behind,” Daley said.
The appointment had been widely speculated, but the addition of Bellamy came as a surprise.
Daley said the New South Wales Rugby League approached Bellamy prior to his appointment, and the pair discussed their respective roles before the arrangement – which will include Bellamy’s input on selection – was agreed.
Bellamy will juggle his Blues duties with his job as coach at the Melbourne Storm, and Daley will spend some time with Bellamy in the Storm coaches box during the season.
“He’s a great mentor, he’s someone that’s got huge amount of experience in the game, and he’s someone that we can all learn a lot from,” Daley said.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said the club was supportive of Bellamy’s appointment. “The timing of our byes this season will give Craig the flexibility to spend time with the NSW team, without compromising his commitments to Storm.”
The Storm have byes in round 12 and 15 this year, the weeks preceding games one and two of the State of Origin series.
Daley returns to the Origin arena as the Blues’ third most-experienced coach and only Phil Gould and Brad Fittler have coached more games.
His initial stint as coach came during a period of dominance for Queensland, and he lost nine of his 15 matches.
The 55-year-old broke through for a series win in his second season in 2014, when Blues halfback Trent Hodkinson scored the only try in a memorable game two.
But Daley’s tenure was marred by criticism about the former five-eighth’s coaching ability, and he has never coached at NRL level.
Daley said he accepted there will be doubts over his appointment given his relative lack of recent experience. “All you can do is do your best, and that’s what I’ll be doing.”
He said he has improved as a coach since he was last coaching in State of Origin. “I’d like to think I’m a better coach, I’d like to think I’ve learned a lot,” he said, highlighting he believes he is now more mature.
Maguire overcame defeat in the first match earlier this year to win the third in Brisbane, the first time the Blues have won a decider in Brisbane since 2005.
Roosters NRLW coach John Strange has been appointed coach of the women’s State of Origin side, replacing Kylie Hilder who decided to stand down after a 2-1 series loss in 2024.
