Daley’s definitive Kangaroos call as hunt for Walters replacement begins
Rugby league legend Laurie Daley has ruled himself out of making a play for the Australian men’s coaching job.
Kevin Walters will step down as Kangaroos coach following the World Cup, as he heads to England to take up a job in the Super League.
Blues icon Andrew Johns chats to Laurie Daley (right). Getty Images
It means the ARL will be looking for a new coach, but Daley has no plans to put his hand up.
The 57-year-old Raiders, Blues and Kangaroos great led NSW’s men’s team to a State of Origin series victory this year, but has also vacated that role, which his assistant Matt King will assume.
The champion playmaker says his coaching days are over.
“I don’t think so, I think my days as a coach are over,” he told 2GB’s Sports Today.
“I really enjoyed it, it comes with a big responsibility. I’ve enjoyed my time with NSW.
“Working with the best players, it’s such a wonderful achievement for them personally, to see the way they operate, the really elite players, it certainly opened my eyes up again.
“It’s terrific to be involved in but no, I’d say that won’t be for me.”
The Kangaroos have won both games so far this World Cup, and next face the Cook Islands on Sunday before preparing for a semi-final the following week.
But following this tournament, the search for Walters’ replacement will begin.
The likes of former Blues coach Brad Fittler, as well as Queensland icons Billy Slater and Cameron Smith will no doubt be sounded out.
But Daley says four-time Penrith premiership coach Ivan Cleary should be the man to land the job.
Cleary will coach the Panthers next NRL season, but then vacate that role, and he has said previously he is interested in representative coaching.
“I think Ivan would be the obvious contender,” Daley said.
“He has had so much success in clubland with Penrith. If he wanted to do it I think he would be good at it, and he has so much respect in the game.
“Coaching any representative team is about getting that connection happening, and there are a lot of great people who could do it.
“He is probably the one that stands out, he could do it.”
