Paul Green has been dumped as Queensland State of Origin coach after one series, with the Maroons confirming his contract would not be renewed.
Green has paid the price for the Maroons’ horror 2021 campaign, where they were flogged in the first two games before winning a dead rubber.
He becomes the second one-term Queensland coach after Des Morris’s tenure came to an end after a 1985 series loss.
Green said the Queensland Rugby League wanted a coach who didn’t have NRL head coaching ambitions and as such “decided to move in different directions”.
“Whilst I could give them that certainty for the 2021 series, I cannot guarantee that this would be the case in the future,” he said.
“We all understand the dynamics and volatility around NRL club head coach roles and ultimately, that is where I see myself when the right opportunity opens up.”
The Maroons surprised a below-strength NSW to win last year’s series under Wayne Bennett but were unable to replicate that upset under Green.
They suffered a record breaking 50-6 loss in Townsville before being held scoreless for the first time in Brisbane in a 26-0 defeat that sealed the series.
Green’s men managed a consolation 20-18 win in game three, helped by the absence of injured NSW and Penrith halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Injury and fitness concerns plagued the Maroons in the lead-up to both live rubbers, while Ronaldo Mulitalo was withdrawn on the day of the second game when questions were raised over his eligibility.
“We understand and respect Paul’s ambitions to return to NRL coaching at some point, and we wish him every bit of success in the future,” QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher said.
“In my opinion, Paul went through the most exceptional circumstances in the history of Origin, with issues around injuries, COVID-19 and player eligibility, and the way the team was able to finish off the series with one of the great Origin victories is testament to his leadership.”
Former player Johnathan Thurston was an assistant to Green this year, while fellow Maroons great Billy Slater was also flagged as a potential long-term successor in the role.
Mal Meninga coached Queensland to eight straight series victories from 2006 to 2013, winning his ninth series in 10 years in 2015 before moving on to the Kangaroos job.
Bennett will hand over his NRL head coaching duties at South Sydney to understudy Jason Demetriou but has expressed interest in a role with an expansion team in Brisbane from 2023.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Isn't the real story that the QRL wanted a coach solely dedicated to the Queensland Origin side, but Green made it clear that he wants to coach an NRL side? The QRL wants a coach for Origin with no other distractions. Green was honest about what he'd like to do, and both parties agreed on a future path for both. Isn't as simple as that?
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Bennett will be coaching from beyond the grave...he's never gonna want to stop being a first grade coach.
Walter Black
Guest
Smith and Slater would be good but they probably need an experienced coach with them for at least one year. After that, I can see Smithy as a fantastic long term Maroons coach. If Bennett could be persuaded to come in and mentor Smith for a year then that would be ideal.
Walter Black
Guest
When the Cowboys won their premiership, I remember Green being hailed as the best coach in the comp. When I said that it was more Thurston and a fair old sprinkling of luck and that Green wasn't that great, I was ridiculed. How the tables have turned. Having said that, coaching Origin is a very different beast than coaching at NRL level and now he has tried both and failed at both. Where does he go next? Tigers possibly ?
TA
Guest
It wouldn`t matter who coached QLD last year they just don`t have the players at the moment. Green did well to get them up for the third game and yes he can coach, ask the players. I think the Warriors are a good fit for him.
Paul
Roar Guru
so based on all the information from both parties that tells us Green and the QRL mutually agreed to part ways, you've decided he was sacked?
Rob
Guest
Pick a centre isn’t a hard tactic. Unless you’re Paul Green I guess.
rob
Guest
That's what they said so it doesn't look bad for Green Qrl have other plans for next year green was never going to be coach next year after the shambles of a job he did this year. If Green wanted to pursue a nrl gig after only one year of coaching origin then why was he happy to sign a two year deal...He got sacked 100%... .
Paul
Roar Guru
Green had a contract for 2022 but told the QRL he wanted to chase a head coach position in the NRL. The QRL said they wanted a coach willing to commit long term to the SOO role so, by mutual agreement, he quit his position. How does that equate to "getting the punt"?
Nat
Roar Guru
It would be ideal for him. How long does he continue to want to be a FT coach?
Nat
Roar Guru
Have to say I wasn't that impressed with Smith's discussion around it last week. 'Yeah I would if, if, if...'. Ask Billy the same and it's 'yep, let's get started...'.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Green off to Tiger Town ?
The Mexican
Roar Rookie
I expected Green to be punted because he appeared to have no idea what to do but there's still one problem left, whoever takes over as coach would need to find a way to make Cherry Evans play for Queensland as well as he plays for Manly, to me he appears low on confidence when he plays origin, at club level he's a great champion but can't reprise that form for the Maroons. Just saying
Womblat
Guest
Well Mal needs the money, JT is wasted as Brace's whipping boy and Billy the Kid can't compete with Cam Smith the Man on Nine. They'd probably do quite well as coaches. One of them will come up with a Turbo-neutralising tactic no-one else has thought of yet.
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
In other news: The sun rose this morning.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
JT, Smith and Slater will be tossed up as coaching candidates as individuals or shared duties etc. None of them have any coaching cred do they? JT was an assistant coach to Green this year. Incredible players don’t automatically make incredible coaches. I feel for Green, he didn’t have the talent at his disposal that previous Maroons coaches have had and what the current Blues are running around with.
Tony
Roar Guru
Doesn't really matter much who they pick :happy:
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Or he maybe assistant to Flanagan at Tiger's with his young bloke playing half or would that be going backwards .
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Meninga could be back in the frame if they have no mid year international matches or maybe Wayne is already pencilled in .
Cam
Roar Rookie
What do you reckon is going on here, was Green tapped for an NRL gig or have the QRL agreed to terms for a Slater/Thurston/Meninga coaching dream team?