Matt King has been named the new head coach of the NSW State of Origin team, replacing Laurie Daley, who walked away from the role on Monday after leading the Blues to a series victory last month. The NSWRL confirmed King's appointment on Tuesday.
A lifelong Blues devotee
King, 45, played nine games for the Blues and has been part of the coaching staff under Daley and Michael Maguire over the last three series. Despite never being a senior coach, he has spent most of the last decade as an assistant to Trent Robinson at the Sydney Roosters.
“I’m very clear on what it looks like to be the head coach of NSW,” King said on Tuesday. “I’ve had a front row seat the last couple of years with Laurie and 12 months before that with Michael Maguire and I have a true understanding of what it means to lead this great state of ours.”
Country roots and a deep connection
King, who played for Melbourne, Souths, and Warrington, grew up in Casino, northern NSW, and was a Parramatta fan as a child. He described the Blues as the “love of his life” after his appointment.
“I’m a country boy from northern NSW and grew up in a little town called Casino, I was a Parramatta fan growing up and got to play for the Melbourne Storm, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and I’ve coached at the Roosters for a long period of time,” he said.
“But the one true rugby league love of my life has been the NSW Blues and to know now that I have the opportunity to guide the team moving forward, means the absolute world to me. I promise everyone out there that you’ll have my full and undivided attention on the role and I’ll give it my absolute all to make sure that I can nail the role as best as I can.”
Support staff and confidence ahead
Storm football manager Frank Ponissi will remain as the Blues’ head of performance under King. NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden expressed confidence in the new coach.
“Matt has been with us as a player and a coach for a long period of time,” Trodden said. “As a player, he was a winner, both in terms of winning State of Origin series and was also the first-ever winner of the Brad Fittler Medal, the highest individual playing honour you get from the NSWRL.”
“I’m really excited to see what Matt will bring to our State of Origin preparation and I have total confidence in what lies ahead and the great victories that lie in front of us in the coming years.”
