Two Grand Final coaches headline a list of 12 potential targets to replace Michael Maguire as NSW Blues Origin coach
Bellamy’s NRL record speaks for itself having won 402 of his 578 games for a win percentage of 69.55. However, like Bellamy it remains to be seen if the NSWRL will be willing to use an NRL coach, but they would be mad not to consider it. It would be a dramatic coup that could shift the landscape of State of Origin.The former Blues coach was at the helm in 2005 when the Blues won the series on the back of Andrew Johns’ triumphant return and he also oversaw two series losses in 2011 and 2012.
Daley has recently coached the Indigenous All Stars from 2019 to 2022 and would be a leading candidate if the Blues decide to go back to the future.The former Eels coach was sacked by the club 10 games into the 2024 season, but has plenty of runs on the board as an NRL coach. His recent experience with the NSW playing group could work in his favour if the NSWRL miss out on some of their priority targets.The former NSW player has plenty of NRL experience having most recently worked with the Broncos as an assistant in their charge to the 2023 Grand Final.
Barrett was set to join Kevin Walters’ coaching staff at the Broncos in 2024, but his future is unclear after Michael Maguire’s appointment, so he would be an excellent candidate for the Blues job.The former Blues hooker played eight Origins for NSW from 2009 to 2015 and would love the chance to win a series as a coach as it eluded him as a player.