The NSW Blues have officially confirmed that Brad Fittler will take over as coach of the State of Origin side for the next two seasons at least.
Fittler played 336 NRL games for the Penrith Panthers (119) and Sydney Roosters (217), but also represented NSW on 31 occasions and Australia on 40.
He coached the Sydney Roosters through 58 matches from 2007-2009, recording 25 wins, 32 losses and a draw – a success rate of 43 per cent.
From 2010 Fittler has predominantly worked in the media, but he recently coached Lebanon to the quarter-finals of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Now he will an attempt to turn around the woeful fortunes of the NSW Blues.
Fittler takes over for Laurie Daley who coached the Blues through five Origin series from 2013 to 2017, winning only one in 2014, winning six of fifteen matches over the course of his tenure.
The Blues also confirmed they have not yet made any appointments for support staff, but will consider this in the coming weeks and make announcements in the near future.
Chairman of the NSWRL board George Peponis said:
“Given the importance of this appointment, the Board has taken the appropriate amount of time to fully consider the issue. A number of highly qualified candidates expressed an interest in the position. I have no doubt that any one of them could have done a great job if the Board had decided to appoint them. Ultimately, the Board was unanimous in the view that Brad Fittler should be appointed to the position.
“Brad’s qualifications for the role are impeccable and his standing within the game is pre-eminent. His recent efforts in the Rugby League World Cup with Lebanon serve as a reminder of his talents as a coach and they provide a window into the exciting future which he will bring the New South Wales State of Origin team.”
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said:
“I couldn’t be happier for Freddy with this appointment. In the last few years, he has made a massive impression on everyone in the NSWRL with the work he has done with our KARI City Origin team and our Pathways teams. He has achieved outstanding success with these teams and in reality, he has spent those years preparing for the role which he has now been appointed to. NSWRL is in for a great ride and sustained success in the next few years beckons.”
Alex L
Roar Rookie
To give Bellamy his due, he was essentially professor Frankenstein leading a disorganised pack of villagers against the monster he'd created.
Bonza
Guest
Surely Moses/Cleary in halves and Jack Bird marking Chambers. Then throw the ball to Teddy /Turbo G.I. will have some points to prove but NSW must know how to beat Qld by now.
qwetzen
Guest
"Best headline of the year..." But it's inaccurate. It was Dugan & Ferguson who were on the roof.
Chook
Guest
Given the choices I don't see how the board could have chosen differently.
Swannies
Guest
Fantastic choice! Fittler is a legend and a master tactician and commentator. He and Pearce are set to put the Blues back as winners! Just need Gallen to go around one more time and ensure Woods is up forward and Farah off the bench. Congratulations Freddie!
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Plenty of coaches with experience have failed , top of the list is Bellamy
steve
Roar Rookie
What a joke selection, job for the boys , same stupid selection as Laurie Daley was, how the hell can you pick someone with no coaching experience, the man is a clown, once again I will cheer on Qld out of sheer frustration.
Matth
Guest
Well played sir.
Alan
Guest
You may not be a rocket surgeon either - based on your assumption of Fittler being half as smart as Mal I'd suggest that the best Fittler can hope for is 5...
craig3
Roar Rookie
Also worth a mention, there's a bloke that's just lobbed here for pre-season training with the local team in the Q Cup, Northern pride, Todd Carney, think his name his, heard good things about him. He will play NRL again. I saw him last time while he was exile play up here. You will see him again in the NRL.
Kangajets
Guest
Craig3 There is a fair a bit of apathy abt rl nrl and soo in New South Wales . Couldn’t give a rats who they pick to coach to be honest . Queensland will win , not only because they are better but because soo means a lot more to them .
BigJ
Roar Guru
Trust me mate a loss by 1 is worse than a loss by 50.
craig3
Roar Rookie
As a Queenslander I find it hard to understand the objection from south of the border over this decision. The only NSW player with coaching ability, with the same dedication and knowledge, from the last generation of winning before the big turn down is Freddy. He's unconventional, but convention is not working. Anyone want to list their contenders of: people who can do the job or want to do the job?
Charles NSW
Guest
I threw this team with the intent to show we need to start thinking outside the square. Yes I did have Teddy at fullback and Manasour on the wing but went against it trying to fit who would be the best in each position. Hayne is a class act on his day and deserves his spot on his reputation but needs to be monitored. Like you I have my reservations on Croker but he does know where the tryline is and also he can kick goals, he deserves a chance. Farah went well with Moses so it is worth another shot and Cleary is not ready mentally I don't think. What worries me Freddy has already spoken of putting in a rookie and that is the last thing NSW wants. We want players fighting for spot to get in the team so they should show their experience and committment first.
Talai
Guest
Well deserved Freddie. Wish you all the best
Jimmmy
Guest
Fittler is a great choice, I don’t get the knockers. QLD still have a better side ( for at least one more year) but things are less clear after that. If NSW pick the right side they will be hard to beat but maybe next year is one tooo soon.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Scott in response to the fans you speak of, there are ex premiership winning coaches roaming around in plague proportions . Two out of three coaches shown the door this year were premiership winning coaches. Big Mal or Big Kevvie haven't won an NRL title as a coach. The most most successful Origin coach is big Mal I believe and one of the least successful is Bellamy. Barretts uninspiring coaching record was quoted regularly in angst ridden posts about the Eagles at various stages of his short career , 22% was mentioned. Doesn't mean anything. Fittlers 43% over two years? at club level also means nothing. Plenty of coaches have had figures like that over two years. Fittler will do well if NSW have a some top rate spine players develop over the next year or two.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
Hayne needs to prove he is a team man again before he's even selected, let alone appointed captain. It seems a year in NFL has made him very selfish. Farah is spent. He will struggle to start in 1st grade next year.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Get on the piss and bond. Ferguson and Dugan already picked.
g
Guest
LOL LOVE IT