Maroons coach Kevin Walters says Laurie Daley can rescue Titans

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters believes NSW rival Laurie Daley could rescue the Gold Coast after officially ruling himself out of the race for the Titans job.

Laurie Daley calls time during a New South Wales Blues training session.

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters believes NSW rival Laurie Daley could rescue the Gold Coast after officially ruling himself out of the race for the Titans job.

Gold Coast had Walters on their radar and held discussions with his management following the sacking of Neil Henry, but the Queensland Rugby League have staved off the Titans to retain Walters.

The Broncos legend plans to extend his Maroons contract until the end of 2020 in the coming weeks, with Walters suggesting Daley has the pedigree to turn the Titans into a finals force.

Daley was last month sacked as NSW Origin coach and Walters says he could be the right fit for the Titans, especially given his experience coaching Jarryd Hayne at the Blues.

“I think Laurie is a good candidate for the job,” said Walters, who has consigned Daley to consecutive Origin series defeats.

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Laurie Daley calls time during a New South Wales Blues training session.

“He has good football knowledge, he has done well with the Origin stuff regardless of what other people are saying.

“There has never been much between us in Origin, they were two minutes away from winning this year’s series so he would be a good option if that’s the path they want to go down.

“Laurie has worked with Jarryd in Origin so he would be able to get the best out of him.”

There has been a strong push for Walters to succeed Henry at the Titans and he admits it is difficult to pass up the chance to launch his NRL coaching career on the Gold Coast.

“It’s a tough one because it would be a good opportunity for the right person, but right now I will stick with the Queensland Rugby League,” he said.

“I have a contract and I want to stay on there with them.

“There is more transition to happen (with the Maroons) and I’d like to be around for when that transition does happen.

“This (Queensland) job means a lot to me, I’m really happy with the way it’s going.

“I feel there is more work to do here and I want to be part of that.”

Walters said Daley’s status as a NSW Origin legend should not be an impediment to him coaching the Queensland-based Titans.

“I don’t think that’s an issue,” he said.

“We’ve had southerners coaching Queensland teams before, the Cowboys have had NSW-based coaches with Graham Murray and Neil Henry.

“The Titans just need to get the best bloke for the job regardless of what state he is from.”

Originally published as Maroons coach Kevin Walters says Laurie Daley can rescue Titans