Laurie Daley to coach NSW Blues with Craig Bellamy to act as an advisor for State of Origin series

NSW legend Laurie Daley has been “renamed” as the new Blues State of Origin coach after Michael Maguire stepped down to take over at the Brisbane Broncos earlier this year.

The NSW Rugby League called a snap press conference for Monday morning at their Homebush headquarters, where they are expected to appoint Daley as Michael Maguire’s successor.

The NSWRL has appointed storied Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy to a new role as advisor to Daley’s coaching staff in a major boost for the Blues.

Daley is a former series winner, breaking a eight year series drought for the Blues in 2014, with Paul Gallen as his skipper. But he only won only six of 15 games in his first stint as coach.

Daley had appeared the front-runner to fill the vacancy for some weeks, enjoying strong support from sections of the NSWRL board.

“I am honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to coach the New South Wales Blues once again,” said Daley, who first coached the Blues between 2013 and 2017.

“I have always been passionate about State of Origin and the pride that comes with representing New South Wales.

“To be asked again, I feel very honoured.”

Daley said he was keen to expand on the foundations laid by Maguire, who led the Blues to victory in his first series before leaving to become head coach of NRL club Brisbane.

“I look forward to building on the great work of ‘Madge’ (Maguire) last year to keep the shield in New South Wales,” he said.

The Blues will host a training camp in February to begin work on the 2025 series, which begins at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on May 28.

“The plan is to contact a lot of those players that were involved in the campaign last year,” Daley said.

“I don’t know them that well, so obviously you’ve got to start a relationship, sooner rather than later.”

The former Canberra Raiders, State of Origin and Kangaroos stalwart did his representative coaching apprenticeship under Phil Gould and the NSWRL are looking to take the experienced option as their new mentor.

Matt King, Paul McGregor and Danny Buderus were also mentioned as potential candidates.

Daley spent five series at the helm, winning with the Blues in 2014.

His role with wagering giant TAB is under question however it is believed the NSWRL have found a balance to enable to signing.

Daley won six of 15 games as NSW coach between 2013 and 2017 but memorably led the Blues to a series win in 2014 that broke Queensland’s eight-year streak of Origin triumphs.

The NSWRL will also name the new women’s State of Origin coach on Monday after Kylie Hilder stepped down from the role in November following consecutive series losses.

with AAP