Blues coach Kylie Hilder under pressure as NSWRL launch review into State of Origin series defeat

After losing back-to-back Women’s State of Origin series, NSWRL will kick off a raw examination into what went wrong from next week.

The future of NSW Women’s coach Kylie Hilder will be considered as part of a six-week review into a losing State of Origin series which is set to start next week.

Hilder, who has been head coach of the Sky Blues since 2021, is under pressure to keep the position after back-to-back series losses as well as three in the past four years.

A 22-6 loss to Queensland in Townsville on Thursday night compounded calls for change following a sensational series opening win at Suncorp Stadium in May.

The fallout of the loss will be dissected and examined by NSWRL in the coming weeks as part of a regular review which includes interviews with players and staff involved in the women’s program.

The findings will then be presented to the NSWRL board by the end of August before any decisions are made for next year.

Speaking on Monday, NSWRL boss Dave Trodden said any discussion about Hilder’s role would be unfair and premature before the wide-ranging review is complete.

“Really, any discussion about the what-ifs pre-empt the outcome of the review and I think that’s a bit unfair to do that,” he said.

Blues coach Kylie Hilder is under pressure to keep the position. Picture: Getty Images

Hilder, who is employed on a 12-month contract, will present to the board as part of a process at the end of each series.

The board could then opt to renew her contract or open the door for other candidates too.

Dragons coach Jamie Soward has also expressed his interest in the role, while former Knights coach Ronald Griffiths, Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley or Knights NRL assistant Blake Green could come into consideration.

There is nothing preventing an NRLW head coach from taking on the NSW women’s Origin job.

The camp structure, impact of NRLW pre-season on training, general staff review, budget allocations, media and camp locations will also be up for review following the end of the first three-game series.

Blues players look on after the series deciding defeat in Townsville. Picture: Getty Images

And while it wasn’t a success on the field for NSW, it highlighted the enormous growth of the women’s game

“You ask anybody from NSWRL about the ultimate outcome and they’ll say they’re disappointed we didn’t win, our expectation is always that we win,” Trodden said.

“But I think equally, everyone would say three games is what worked really well and it’s what we need moving forward.

“That’s where the game needs to be and where the women deserve to be as well.”

Magic Round will kick off with the Women’s Origin opener again in 2025, while two games are expected to be played in NSW.

Meanwhile, the NRLW starts at the end of this month, with the NSW women’s competition kicking off this weekend as a makeshift reserve grade.

Originally published as Blues coach Kylie Hilder under pressure as NSWRL launch review into State of Origin series defeat