State of Origin 2022: Paul McGregor to replace Craig Fitzgibbon on NSW coaching staff

Brad Fittler has turned to an old NSW roommate as the replacement for NRL coaching-bound Craig Fitzgibbon in his Origin 2022 coaching set-up.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 14: Dragons coach Paul McGregor talks to the media at a press conference following the round 14 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Bankwest Stadium on August 14, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Mary is back.

Former St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has been appointed to the NSW State of Origin coaching staff for next season.

McGregor will replace assistant Craig Fitzgibbon, unavailable after accepting the head coaching role at Cronulla.

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Paul McGregor will replace Craig Fitzgibbon in the NSW Origin set-up.

Chief adviser Greg Alexander and assistant Danny Buderus will remain on Brad Fittler’s successful coaching team.

Fittler has another year remaining on his current contract but is almost certainly assured of an extension.

McGregor, a former star centre who played 14 games for NSW, was appointed NSW under 19s coach earlier this year before all matches were cancelled through Covid.

“It’s a huge honour, after representing the Blues right through the 90s as a player and now to be on the coaching staff. I have a lot of gratitude and appreciation around that,” McGregor said.

“I have a lot of passion for the game and perseverance as well. I believe I have gained ‘Freddy’s’ trust and earned his loyalty over time. In his first year coaching the Blues (2018) he took a lot of my (Dragons) players into the series and they won.

“It’s important to me to influence his vision on the team and I will do that with purpose.”

Paul McGregor played 14 times for NSW.

Fittler added: “Obviously it is disappointing to lose Craig Fitzgibbon, who made such a valuable contribution to our group over the past three years, but to replace him with someone of the calibre and experience of Paul McGregor is outstanding.

“I have been fortunate to have played with ‘Mary’ and roomed with him during the early 90s playing State of Origin and he will fit perfectly within the culture of our group, as well as adding immense value in what he can bring as an astute coach.

“He is really passionate about the game and NSW.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2022: Paul McGregor to replace Craig Fitzgibbon on NSW coaching staff