The NSW Rugby League board conducted extensive interviews with people in and outside of Blues camp before opting against offering Laurie Daley a new contract.
Daley’s fate was sealed on Friday when NSWRL chairman Dr George Peponis called to inform him that his five-year tenure at the head of the Blues was over.
The 47-year-old’s sacking was the first major decision of a review into the Blues 11th series loss in 12 years. The probe began a month ago and continued in a five-hour meeting on Friday.
“It was continued today at length,” Peponis said.
“We spent most of the morning discussing it, speaking to a lot of the people involved both in and out of camp.”
Peponis also admitted the team’s culture could have been better as he handed down the decision.
Blake Ferguson and Josh Dugan found themselves in the media spotlight for a lengthy visit to a Lennox Head pub while in camp for game three, while questions have also been asked about the pair’s first night in camp at The Star for game two.
Barnstorming forward Andrew Fifita also publicly questioned whether the choice of venue for the second game had an affect on the team’s performance, and it will now also form part of the ongoing review.
However, any decisions on where next year’s camps will be won’t be decided until after a new coach is appointed.
“There are going to have to be some changes but they will have to be made in consultation with a new coach, whoever that may be,” Peponis said.
“Taking into account that next year there is a game in Melbourne and the year after that there is a game in Perth.”
Calls on whether Matt Parish, John Cartwright and other key support staff will hold their roles are also yet to be determined.
“A lot of those other decisions won’t come into effect for the next few months anyway,” Peponis said.
“Post State of Origin, it really doesn’t rev up until the new year.
“Our priority is to find and appoint a new coach, make sure he is the best person for the position. Have his input for what support staff he wants around him.
“He might have his own ideas, he might have his own personnel he wants to work with.”
Charles NSW
Guest
Spot on Big Daddy! It is important that everything is open and transparent for all to see!
Big Daddy
Guest
The media have already decided who will coach NSW next year. The way it should be done is with a bit more integrity. TBH it should be publicly advertised as you never know who will apply. For too long the NSWRL have played favourites and appointed a favourite son. Time to stop this and do it properly.
Riggs
Guest
Time to dump Dugan, Pearce, Hayne, Woods and possibly Maloney, Graham, Fergusson and Jackson.
yung
Guest
pearce nsw best half! give yourself an uppercut timmy
Barry
Guest
Who asked Ricky? worry about your own team.
Charles NSW
Guest
First of all Mitchel Pearce record speaks for itself in NSW Origin. If you want to ignore how poor he is that it is your prerogative to do so He is a club footballer at best and always will be. Secondly it is you who is stupid not me, you cannot see what is front of you Thirdly trying to bully me on what is my opinion will not work
Tim
Guest
Charles, sorry but I need to call you a dufus. Admittedly, I am a very proud Sydney Roosters supporter. I would even go as far as to say that Trent Robinson and his coaching entourage should be given the NSW coaching gig. But I want to comment on your blame on Mitchell Pearce. He is the best halfback NSW have. His club performance over the last 5yrs has been exceptional & gets better each season. It might be that the rot first starts at the top but the available coaching staff who know a winning culture, is unavailable & is very limited & it's embarrassing. To first blame the halfback is ridiculous because we're assuming that the coach is accountable to him. Too begin matching Queensland after we get winning culture coaches, let's get club combinations in there to get everyone on the same page. I could be wrong but NSW look like straw men to Queensland. The latter look so much fitter, stronger & athletic as they dwarf the NSW team in comparison. All the best in '18 to the NSW Blues.
Charles NSW
Guest
You know R N your comment is so true? We have had the troops but lack the generals and for a long time now That puts it in a nutshell!
R N
Roar Rookie
Love your passion Charles... if I was a NSW supporter would probably be just as frustrated! In regards to warfare, you guys have always had the troupes... just lack the generals.
Charles NSW
Guest
When you have people like Daley, Fittler, Sterling, Johns saying the same comments we have a problem. It is not what mates say that is important but what is the problem and how to fix it. For example why choose Pearce again and again with no improvement in sight. Why do we keep losing and how do we fix it? With all these greats none of them seem to have any idea what to do to put NSW back in the winning mode. If we do not have a player good enough manufacture one. Luke Lewis and Greg Bird are two players that have won man of match awards in both 1/2 back and 5/8 roles. So why did we not use them if we did not have good halves? Now in the back row, being older and slower we could have used their strength as well as their ball skills to our advantage. To change the culture we need someone new that has the knowledge and determination to put in the appropriate measures in place. Whoever we choose NSW needs to do their homework and make sure that their applicant is up to it without fear or favour. We need to utilise the greats of the game to help put in the necessary procedures in place. We need to select the right team that meets the requirements needed to get NSW on top again. No doubt the spine of QLD are good but there are ways and means to nullify their attack. Once the team is selected concentrate on making them great The players can have a drink when they have won and not before. We have lost far too much and it is time to declare war on QLD!