State of Origin rivalries have been shelved after Queensland coach Kevin Walters endorsed former NSW mentor Laurie Daley for the vacant Gold Coast Titans job.
Walters confirmed he had ruled himself out of the running to replace axed Titans mentor Neil Henry, saying he wanted to oversee the ageing Maroons’ transition.
Walters’ stocks are at a career high – largely at Daley’s expense.
Walters is in demand after becoming just the third Queensland coach to win his first two series – both against Daley’s Blues.
Daley’s five-year NSW reign – which included the sole 2014 series success – ended after he was dumped following the latest series loss, the Blues’ 11th in 12 years.
However, Maroons mentor Walters believed his former Origin counterpart would be a good fit at the Titans.
“I think he’s a good candidate for the job,” he said.
“He has good football knowledge, he has done well with the Origin stuff regardless of what other people are saying.
“There has never been much between us in Origin, they were two minutes away from winning this year’s series.”
Walters believed Daley’s past success with controversial NRL star Jarryd Hayne was another plus for the Titans gig.
Henry was sacked by the Titans last month after a reported feud with Hayne.
Daley worked wonders with Hayne in 2014, inspiring NSW’s drought-breaking series victory.
“He’s worked with Jarryd in Origin so he would be able to get the best out of him,” Walters said.
Daley and recently sacked South Sydney premiership coach Michael Maguire are believed to top a long list of applicants for the Titans job.
Gold Coast CEO Graham Annesley expects to name a new coach in a month.
The Queensland Rugby League are now expected to re-sign Walters after he officially knocked back the Titans gig.
Walters is not off contract until next year but is keen to stay on long term.
He believed it was important to manage life after the likes of Maroons greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk retire.
Thurston played his last Origin this year while Cronk’s future is still up in the air after announcing he will relocated to Sydney in 2018 to be with his fiancee.
“This job means a lot to me, I’m really happy with the way it’s going,” Walters said.
“I feel there is more work to do here and I want to be part of that. There is some more transition to happen.”
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
If keeping and getting the best out of Ashley Taylor and jarryd Hayne is important, and it should be, then Laurie Daley is easily the best qualified. Hayne has already endorsed Daley this week and the brilliant Taylor was under Daley in the Indigenous team. Daley has the potential to be a great NRL coach; you only have to talk to him about the game and get that feeling.
BigJ
Roar Guru
ha ha aha
Tommy
Guest
He was on the St George Illawarra coaching staff in 2003
Tommy
Guest
He was on the St George Illawarra coaching staff in 2003
Rellum
Roar Guru
Toovey I think would be favorite as the names thrown around but I would love the Walkers to get it.
Kobi
Guest
Titans will cease to exist before long no one can save them theyl always be the little brother to the Broncos and thats where it will end. Too many teams in the NRL such a small talant pool. Its swamped with pacific islanders They play a couple years get exposure then head off to greener pastures in Europe. Titans are just a transit lounge club at best.
Larry1950
Guest
Maybe kevvie is just trying to inflict more grief on lozza by condemning him to 3 years of punishment at the Gold Coast graveyard.
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
Scott, it's a fair point that Daley is not as bad a coach at SOO level as his record suggests, but surely coaching a NRL side week-in week-out is a very different proposition to SOO. Has he served any coaching apprenticeship in the NRL (Ill admit I am ignorant in that regard)? If not, then I doubt he's ready. Kevie is just being Kevie - the nice bloke with something nice to say about another nice bloke.
TigerMike
Guest
yeah it's another clever Queensland I mean broncos strategy in play, appoint a loser to lead the opposition Good work Kevin
Suechi
Guest
I think it is all or nothing for the Titans. I think the Walkers will be different and worth the gamble. Can't see Daley working out - couldn't keep his players out of a pub for a week, let alone 26 weeks. Madge a chance, but needs better cattle.
spruce moose
Guest
Be more ironic if Daley was to be 'hayned' later on.
BigJ
Roar Guru
I agree with John, the Walker brothers would be a much better fit than Daley. Only one question, can anybody control Jarryd Hayne????
John
Guest
I would prefer the Walker brothers over Daley and Madge, but I can see Titans going towards the latter two as they have a much higher profile in the game and would be more attractive for potential sponsors/business partners.
RandyM
Guest
The Bears have got Peter Louis waiting in the wings
Zedman
Roar Rookie
I fail to see how Daley could get the best out of Hayne, he ddn't in SOO so what has changed.? Hayne has a attitude problem which according to ex team mates was always a issue and this past season certainly showed that. NSW came close, once again, but Daley couldn't instill that play like your life depends on it attitude in the players, once he pulled back on the Fifita/ Klemmer decision he lost the team.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The Knights got it spot on with signing Nathan Brown to re-build their struggling team and Laurie Daley is from a similar ilk. Both have brilliant knowledge of the game and are diligent workers. Kevie was correct, Laurie went within 2 mins of winning this years series, or some may say one non pass. It would be ironic if he coached the player who failed to pass.
Soda
Guest
I can't imagine Daley being the right fit for a struggling club. Madge would be in front of Daley in my mind, and even better yet those walker boys would be ideal. Under the walkers bros coaching style, i can see the titans gaining a much stronger fan base. any other coach will deliver more same old same old results and ensure the titans as a venture will limp along envetuating the way of the giants, seaguls and chargers