‘I’m putting in for the Blues’: NSW legend hints shock comeback

A BLUES legend has savaged NSW’s Origin effort in a passionate rant, before sensationally declaring a coaching comeback.

Tommy Raudonikis at Rouse Hill Rhinos lunch. Photographer: Adam Yip

A FORMER Blues Origin coach has put his hand up to replace coach Laurie Daly after lashing out at the current state of the NSW football team — claiming it was his fault for the Origin loss.

“Cattledog” Tommy Raudonikis appeared on Brisbane’s 4BC program for a Tommy’s Tips segment when he told host Ben Davis he was putting his hand up to replace coach Daly.

“Mate, he’s got to go,” a frustrated Raudonikis said.

“I thought, mate, he didn’t prepare those players well, and I thought after that first win, mate ... I just think they didn’t grab them by the throat.

“Queensland, they’ll do it all the time. Great competitors, great passion, and they won on the bell. That was our coach’s fault.

“And players, too. Players have got to take responsibility no doubt. But the coach made some bad decisions.”

Raudonikis blamed coach Daly for taking them to the casino, claiming all the hype over their Game 1 victory had got to their heads.

NSW legend Tommy Raudonikis says he’s putting his hand up for the NSW job.

“One mistake was he brought them back down to Sydney to stay at the Casino in Darling Harbour,” he said. “They’re reading about themselves in the paper. They got big heads ... that was a bad mistake from NSW administration and I point at the coach and his staff.”

NSW veteran Andrew Johns was grilled by Paul Vautin after the game on whether he’d like to coach the embattled side. Johns was hesitant, claiming he didn’t need the pressure of the job in his life.

Raudonikis was blunt in dismissing his former halfback.

“Mate, if Joey Johns doesn’t want it — bugger him anyway — you know what I’m going to do?” he said.

“I’m going to put in for it. If I couldn’t do what Laurie Daley did, send me anywhere.

“I’m dead serious. I’ve coached State of Origin.”

Raudonikis was the Blues coach for two seasons, claiming a 2-1 win in his first year at the helm in 1997.

BREAKING: Tommy Raudonikis tells @BenDavis74 he's putting his hand up to coach the @NSWRL Blues #Origin- https://t.co/wloHGbxiP3

— News Talk 4BC 1116 (@NewsTalk4BC) July 13, 2017

That escalated quickly.... #origin https://t.co/ciJXbYQg2m

— Ben Davis (@BenDavis74) July 13, 2017

The NSW legend has never been shy from voicing his opinion on the Blues. Last month after New South Wales’ defeat in game two of the State of Origin series, Raudonikis came out swinging.

Raudonikis blasted the Blues for their attitude, saying Laurie Daley’s men lacked the killer instinct and were simply out-enthused by the Maroons — something the former New South Wales great says continues to separate the two sides in the Origin arena.

“Our dressing room last night, nowhere like the Queensland dressing room. Blokes were talking to each other like nothing happened. That is the difference between Queensland and New South Wales — and it’s called passion.”

It’s time to go, Laurie.