Laurie Daley has been appointed NSW’s new State of Origin coach, seven years after he was first sacked from the role.
The NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) called a snap press conference on Monday morning at their Homebush headquarters, where they unveiled the Canberra Raiders legend as Michael Maguire’s successor.
Daley had appeared the front-runner to fill the vacancy for some weeks, enjoying strong support from sections of the NSWRL board.
“I am honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to coach the New South Wales Blues once again,” said Daley, who first coached the Blues between 2013 and 2017. “I have always been passionate about State of Origin and the pride that comes with representing New South Wales.”
The NSWRL has appointed storied Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy to a new role as advisor to Daley’s coaching staff.
Brett White and Matt King, two of Maguire’s assistant coaches for 2024, will remain on staff alongside team performance manager Frank Ponissi.
As well as former NSW assistant coach Paul McGregor, King had been considered an option for the head-coaching vacancy.
Daley said he was keen to expand on the foundations laid by Maguire, who led the Blues to victory in his first series before leaving to become head coach of NRL club Brisbane.
“I look forward to building on the great work of ‘Madge’ (Maguire) last year to keep the shield in New South Wales,” he said.
The Blues will host a training camp in February to begin work on the 2025 series, which begins at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on May 28.
“Everyone in New South Wales should be excited about what lies ahead for the 2025 men’s State of Origin series,” said NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden.
“Laurie’s extensive experience, both as a player and a coach, combined with his unwavering commitment to the success of the Blues, makes him the ideal candidate to lead our team into the future.”
Daley won only six of 15 games in his first stint as NSW coach but memorably led the Blues to a series win in 2014 that broke Queensland’s eight-year streak of Origin triumphs.
