Laurie Daley won’t be offered a contract to coach the Blues next year

NRL great Ricky Stuart has jumped to the defence of sacked NSW coach Laurie Daley after he was dropped from the helm of the Blues.

Lauire Daley has been sacked.

LAURIE Daley has been sacked as NSW Origin coach.

After a disastrous series loss this year the Canberra, NSW and Australian legend won’t be offered a new contract, NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) chairman George Peponis said on Friday.

Ultimately a record of one series win (in 2014) from five attempts sealed Daley’s fate, which was decided when the NSWRL board met today.

“I have spoken with Laurie and he understands the decision,” Peponis said. “He is obviously disappointed but he has enjoyed the journey and appreciated the opportunity.

“Obviously we thank Laurie for the significant contribution he has made over the past five years.”

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart blasted NSW’s handling of the situation, claiming they should have shown more respect to the former Origin five-eighth.

“Laurie is one of the greatest legends of Origin football, and being a Blue he should have been treated with a lot more respect than the way it was done,” Stuart said via Smh.com.au.

“I thought it was disgraceful how it was done. He deserves a lot more respect in regards to how he lost his position.

“If they knew it was going to happen, it should have been done quietly and calmly, and let Laurie finish off the way he wanted to finish off and let him have an announcement.”

Daley released a statement regarding his axing shortly afterwards.

“I’ve enjoyed my time working for New South Wales Rugby League,” the statement read.

“I understand that the business is results-driven and I respect the decision of the Board to go in another direction.

“I will always support New South Wales and I wish their team and their coach every success in the future.”

This year’s campaign will have hurt the most. After winning game one in Brisbane and dominating for 60 minutes in game two in Sydney, the Blues stumbled badly as some Johnathan Thurston magic ensured the series went to a decider.

Queensland, as it has been for 11 of the past 12 series, proved too classy once again in the decider and ensured Daley and all his staff and players would be put under the microscope.

Laurie Daley told those he trusts that he wasn't feeling the love from Blues officials yesterday ..but his axing is still a shock @9NewsSyd

— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) August 25, 2017

Central to the this year’s dramas was Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan being condemned for breaking camp and drinking in the lead-up to the pasting NSW copped in the Brisbane decider.

Daley also came under heavy fire for backflipping on initial plans to move star forward Andrew Fifita to the bench and starting David Klemmer in game three. The defeat immediately raised speculation Brad Fittler, Andrew Johns or Dean Pay would take over, with the NSWRL a month ago announcing an “ongoing” review of its series performance.

Johns slammed NSW’s game plan in an angry tirade after game two, saying it played “dumb” football by failing to target an injured Thurston in the defensive line. He blew up again after game three, saying NSW just “doesn’t get it” when it comes to the Origin arena.

The moment where props Aaron Woods and Andrew Fifita failed to close a gap on their inside, allowing Queensland enforcer Jarrod Wallace to stroll over for a try, perfectly illustrated his point.

But while Johns has been asked numerous times since then if he would consider coaching NSW, he’s poured cold water on the idea saying he doesn’t need that stress in his life.

City Origin coach Fittler previously refused to comment on speculation he would be interested in the role if it became available, saying he wouldn’t disrespect Daley by talking about a job that didn’t yet exist.

But now Daley’s future has been decided, the door is open for the Blues legend to put his hand up as the next NSW coach.

Former NSW winger Steve Turner was surprised by Daley’s axing and said NSW’s next coach needs to be someone not already involved with a club.

“I was shocked by this because I thought Laurie would be the coach in 2018,” Daley told Fox Sports. “The next candidate has got to be someone not involved with clubland because it’s so hard to juggle with club footy.”

Daley’s reign is over.

The Blues’ board meeting also comes days after Maroons counterpart Kevin Walters was linked with the vacant NRL coaching job on the Gold Coast, which would open the door for a new Queensland mentor.

However Walters has since distanced himself from the Titans role. “I haven’t had any talks whatsoever with the Titans about the possibility of me going there and coaching — that’s just non-existent,” Walters said on Fox Sports’ Queenslanders Only.

“If and when I do make that step into the NRL, it’s got to be a job that suits me and fits the type of coach that I am. Is that the Titans? I don’t know.”

— with AAP