Brad Fittler to take over from Laurie Daley as NSW Blues coach
BRAD Fittler is expected to be officially named as NSW Origin coach at a midday announcement on Friday.
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BRAD Fittler is expected to be officially named as NSW Origin coach at a midday announcement on Friday.
Fittler and former South Sydney coach Michael Maguire are the two frontrunners to replace Laurie Daley, but the former is expected to be given the nod.
The man entrusted to end Queensland’s dominance will be front and centre at The Star _ one of the NSWRL’s sponsors _ along side chairman George Peponis.
Fittler did a remarkable job with Lebanon at the World Cup, and has worked with the Generation Next Blues in recent years.
He will have exactly 194 days until the Origin opener in Melbourne to work out ways to end the Maroons juggernaut.
Fittler’s playing experience in the Origin arena will give him a massive boost if he is appointed NSW coach on Friday, according to predecessor Daley.
Daley remains close to both men, having played with Maguire in Canberra and playing in a number of representative teams alongside Fittler during the 1990s.
And while he was confident either could do the job, he said Fittler’s 31 games of Origin experience for NSW would provide a definite advantage come next June when Origin hostilities resume.
“I think it does (help) because it’s different to any other game,” Daley said at the launch of the Festival of Indigenous Rugby League on Thursday.
“It’s a really big build up. It’s like three grand finals in six weeks and the rollercoaster you have is very emotional.
“If you don’t understand it and you get caught up in it you can lose sight and focus.”
- AAP