In the past days, months and years there has been no shortage of debate around the NSW line-up as desperate Blues fans search for a solution to end eight years of State of Origin misery.
While it is widely accepted that the current Queensland team is an extraordinary outfit full of once-in-a-generation players, the endurance of Queensland’s domination is unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated, though it could well extend to 2014 and beyond.
While the talent of the Queenslanders cannot be questioned, the Blues cannot claim to have been short of talented players. For each of the last eight years NSW and Queensland started each series at 0-0, only for NSW to fall short each year.
At this level, talent is quite even, and it comes down to preparation and execution when the series is on the line. Queensland have been far superior in both respects.
With respect to these critical success factors, the responsibility lies with the coach to prepare the team and to ensure the main decision makers have the tools and guidance to know how to control the game at crucial, series-defining moments.
The selection of certain players has been a recurring theme, but at what point does the coach and structure come under scrutiny?
Since the beginning of this eight-year period NSW has used a number of coaches of varying experience and backgrounds.
The late Graham Murray was an excellent coach but did not have success in big games, losing two grand finals and two Origin series.
Ricky Stuart, who won an Origin Series and a premiership early in his career, had little success in recent years.
Craig Bellamy, was a title winning, inspirational coach who seemed somehow conflicted and short of solutions with Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis in the opposite camp.
The incumbent Laurie Daley, part of the Ricky Stuart support team of 2011/12, has no top-line coaching credentials and no record of success.
It is true that Mal Meninga started with a similar background to Daley, however Meninga was able to find early success and has built on it year after year and has proven himself a true leader.
NSW need to find a proven and consistent winner to deliver NSW victory. Someone who does not accept that opposition teams are better but instead devises strategy and tactics to overcome opposition by exploiting the strength of his own squad.
This article is not going to compare the pros and cons of different candidates. Should Daley fail to break the curse in 2014, then Des Hasler should be the only candidate considered for the NSW coaching post, whether or not he’s at the Bulldogs.
Under Hasler, Manly were the team of the decade despite overcoming incredible adversity at different stages. His record does not require repeating, his credentials are towering.
Hasler showed in his time at Manly the ability to build and maintain a strong culture and, just as importantly, he left a lasting legacy.
He may not be the affable media type that Daley is, and he probably wouldn’t be a popular appointment among the NSW hierarchy given his reputation for being difficult to manage. But who cares? The job of the coach is to win two out of three games over two months.
I wish the Blues all the best and I hope I am proven wrong, but should we fall short then a winning coach is needed and Des Hasler is the answer.
Nathan
Guest
Speedy, I agree. NSW strategic coaching methods and selection criteria can be defined by the definition of insanity; "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." Dessy could be the blues answer in the coaching ranks. Yet, the cattle must perform on the field and under pressure, and D Hasler instills this in his teams. Perhaps, If, NSW was serious about installing a winning mentality and pride in thier jumper they go with Gus Gould as head coach and draft in D. Hassler for grooming him to be the succesor. Gus is a a NSW purest, motivator beyond the written word that gets the players blood pumping in unison and is tactically astute coach who would bring about a cultural change just like Ange has done with the Socceroos. Now that change would be interesting. Perhaps it would make Mal Meniga hairs stand up on the back of his neck!!!
Owen Whish
Roar Rookie
The Roosters shouldnt have made it to the final in the first place.. Cowboys fans do not forget Minni's knock on at the try line.........
Crober
Guest
@KB, how you have changed the topic of discussion from the 8 consecutive state of origin series wins to one by the CHOOKS bits me. Can you dream of the day when there will be time for 8 series win let alon consecutive by NSW?
Crober
Guest
KB - did you get the message? that is good enough for you!
Brendan
Guest
Freddy or Baz over Hasler? Are you serious? If Laurie is punted then this stupid policy needs to go and the best man for the job should be appointed. Hasler, Maguire and Robinson would have to be on a short list
KB
Guest
SOO is EVERYTHING pet.
KB
Guest
Perhaps you should get out of Cessnock a bit more often?
hindsight
Guest
if you're from NSW
john badseed
Guest
Premiers in their own mind. Shayne the only winner on the day. Learn to be humble until you win one and not have Gyng buy one with the footy rights. Only place it counts is at Easts leagues club. By the way, didn't know there were Rorters fans in QLD.
Anna
Guest
As a dogs supporter I prefer Des focus on the club . State of Origin is a waste of time
KB
Guest
I'll be smiling all year...because the CHOOKS are NRL and WORLD champions...and probably ALL next year as well. When did your team last win the comp? oh thats right 2004...double movement by Hazam and a disallowed try to the Chooks...well I spose the NRL were being kind to you..
Crober
Guest
KB, a miss is miss, and lose is a lose, no matter how close it is. you wont be smiling at podium, amigo!
Daniel Vella
Guest
You don't need to deserve to win. There are no records of who deserved to win origin. more important is to actually win!
KB
Guest
'Daniel if Fatty can coach 3 SOO wins and Gus a series or two or three, then it only goes to show that Freddy, Loz and Baz will get even more out them. Its been VERY close the last couple of years (people forget that). Current NRL coaches dont have the time to ride two horses at the same time. Bellyache proved that. If Des and Toovey were not full time coaches they would be great. To be honest though..the Dogs dont deserve to be leading the comp. They will fall in a hole pretty soon..some of em are a bit on the portly side.
KB
Guest
Wrong...as usual. NSWelshman.
KB
Guest
Crober..learn to spell and construct a sentence.
Chopper
Guest
State of Origin coaching is not "coaching" per se. It is about motivation and extracting the talents from the players. Paul Vautin demonstrated that as Queensland coach back in 1995. Andrew John's had the same ability as a player - he was able to get good players like Robbie O'Davis, Matt Gidley, Mark Hughes and Matty Johns to push themselves to the point where they could out-play opponents who actually possessed far more talent.
Daniel Vella
Guest
Thanks for all the comments. I disagree strongly that Daley, Fittler or Barrett are suitable for such a key role. I also do not accept that the idea of SOO coach not being a club coach is necessary. It's a recent idea but certainly in past club coaches have successfully coached origin. I do agree system and support team are paramount. Imagine a team of Hasler, Toovey, Dymock and Don Singe.. Looks stronger to me than the current line up.
john badseed
Guest
Time to axe the Rorters boys. SOO for NSW is about giving players from useless teams their turn in the limelight. Bring back Sticky to coach them.
Slain
Guest
John - we cannot ignore 8 consecutive series wins, a complete domination over 8 years. There must be some coaching ability in Mal. Give credit where its due. Unfortunately, we cannot find any one of the same standard as Mal in the NSW camp....Laurey is really a good trier!