Laurie Daley played 23 State of Origin games for NSW, and coached the state for five years between 2013 and 2017 — now he's back in charge of the Blues. (AAP: Con Chronis)
NSW has gone back to the future, naming Laurie Daley as the new State of Origin coach to take the team into the 2025 series and beyond.
He succeeds Michael Maguire, who quit the team two months ago to take on the coaching job at the Brisbane Broncos.
Daley last coached the Blues between 2013 and 2017, winning six of his 15 games in charge and a series win in 2014.
Daley has been named as coach on a two-year deal.
"I'm really excited to get the chance to coach NSW again," Daley told the media in a press conference on Monday.
The returning coach said he had "a burning passion for the state".
"To be asked again, I feel very honoured."
Daley said he planned to try to build on Maguire's work with the Blues. Maguire led NSW to a 2-1 series victory this year before being tapped to replace the sacked Kevin Walters at the Broncos.
NSW also announced a series of appointments to assist Daley, including Frank Ponissi as team performance manager, Matt King as senior assistant coach, Brett White as assistant coach and Melbourne Storm coach — and former Blues coach — Craig Bellamy in a newly created role as adviser to Daley.
"He [Bellamy] is a great mentor, he's someone who's got a lot of experience in the game," Daley said.
NSW also announced the new women's coach to replace Kylie Hilder, who stepped down earlier this year.
Roosters NRLW coach John Strange will take over the side, while former Australian and NSW Women's Origin captain Ruan Sims will remain as an assistant coach.
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