NSW great Andrew Johns has left the door open on possibly taking over as State of Origin coach should Laurie Daley not be renewed for 2018.
Daley’s future remains up in the air after he refused to discuss whether he would seek a sixth crack at Queensland next year, following their series-deciding 22-6 loss on Wednesday.
The defeat means Daley became the first Origin coach to suffer four series defeats, and his current contract expires at the end of the year.
New South Wales Rugby League boss Dave Trodden declined to talk about Daley’s fate however it is believed a decision on a new deal won’t be made until a review in September.
Like he has been all year, Daley was cagey on his coaching future after the match.
“I think I’ve always been clear what I’m going to do. It’s certainly not been about me. It’s always been about the team, and all about trying to get them to perform well,” he said.
Asked whether the result changed his plans, Daley said: “No.”
Johns was the Blues’ harshest critic after game two, when NSW blew a 16-6 lead in Sydney before being comprehensively outplayed in game three.
And he again didn’t miss the team with his analysis of their performance.
“I still don’t think NSW get it, just really don’t get it. There was times there with the ball was thrown back inside, we just switched off,” he said on Channel Nine’s commentary.
“You think the ball goes past you, well my job’s done. You can’t give up on it in Origin footy and that’s what we have to get the mentality of. It’s not about set plays and fancy plays.
“Cooper Cronk spoke about will and desire. That’s what wins these games.”
Johns, who is currently a halves coach at the Sydney Roosters, has previously shot down any prospect of assuming the role when Daley departs.
But when pressed by Paul Vautin, the former Blues halfback indicated that could change.
“When you asked me that on The Footy Show. I said no. I can’t answer at the moment. I don’t know mate. I don’t know if I need that pressure in my life, if I’m going to be honest,” he said.
Phil Gould, who is the most successful coach in Blues history, was unsure whether a coaching change would make the desired effect.
“I don’t think this is about coaching and I don’t think this is about the selection,” he said.
“I think it is a thing that we have never done over the last 10 or 11 years and I keep saying it every time we lose. We just haven’t cultivated a leadership group that we can trust.
“That is the difference between us and Queensland at the moment.”
Adsa
Guest
How pumped up will Inglis be next year if Johns coaches, please do it Nswrl.
JVGO
Guest
What do you mean? I'm sure Joey knows all about psychiatrists and knows heaps of them.
Sava
Guest
Well said Fish,you are spot on ,and to consider a bloke that has never coached a top grade team,as Joey would be just nuts.Passion and loyalty must be part of an Origins players make-up and a few NSW players have not as, Joey said " GOT IT". Sava
Barry
Guest
If you listen to Johns as a commentator you will hear an ex player of the highest level, but that does not mean he can impart that knowledge to the current crop. Some of the plays he calls would need a science degree in order to figure them out. These are footballers not rocket scientists and the game is essentially a pretty simple one. Brad Fittler for mine.
Fish
Guest
It was abundantly clear in game two that the great player that was Laurie Daley can not coach. This is not a rarity, as Lewis and Fittler can attest to. He placed all his eggs in the one basket when he recalled the much maligned Mitchell Pearce to lead the Blues around the field. To all but Daley, we knew how this would end. The only time the Blues looked like an origin winning team was when Pearce was concussed in game one, and they put three tries on in quick succession. To any half brained football enthusiast it was easy to see how Queensland were going to stop NSW. They patch up their defence in the centre and stop the big Blues forwards from rolling forward and the rest would fall into place. Pearce is one of those players that excel at club level when the going is slower and the rules of the game are over enforced, but when the pace of Origin is on and the Refs are more tolerant of rule bending he is found out lacking in most areas. Some in the Brains Trust of the Blues, including Daley himself, have said to everyone including themselves that Pearce is the answer, now that they have had their own deception shoved down their throat, they are choking on the inevitable. Sorry Laurie, loved you as a player, but as a coach you have hamstrung yourself with your inability to see the truth and to enact common sense at the time it was sadly needed. The sword is sharp so plunge it quickly.
nopuritan
Guest
The wrong Johns brother. Matthew Johns probably has what it takes, Andrew however...hmmm...even the NSWRL couldn't be that stupid. Could they?
Sava
Guest
When are the NSW League mob work out that they dont need a coach ,they need a psyciatrist. Sava
Art Vanderlay
Guest
At least the after game party will be a real zinger!
Soda
Guest
Johns as nsw coach, good grief! Look out Coffs Harbour! The team bonding is going to step up notch.