‘Be a tough bugger’: New coach King’s message to Blues hopefuls
Matt King has outlined his three stipulations to play for the Blues next year after the 2005 series winner was unveiled as NSW’s new coach on Tuesday.
The 45-year-old former Storm and Rabbitohs winger is the state’s new State of Origin men’s coach, replacing Laurie Daley at the helm of the shield-holders.
NSW Blues coach Matt King. Nine
He has agreed to a two-year deal, with an option for a third. The job is full-time and means King will finish his duties with the Roosters before moving into NSW Rugby League headquarters on November 1.
He has served an apprenticeship under Chooks head coach Trent Robinson, including working at the club during the 2018 and 2019 premiership seasons, and under former Blues bosses Michael Maguire and Daley.
At a media conference on Tuesday, King was asked what the Blues will look like under his leadership.
“I’m really clear on what the role looks like,” he said.
“You’ve got to be a tough bugger to play Origin footy. You need extreme clarity on what your strengths are, leaning into those strengths, how those tie into the rest of the team.
“The last piece of the puzzle is you have to find the courage to play your footy. I think we saw that at different times this series.
“Be a tough bugger, play with clarity, and go after the moments when your time comes.”
The NSWRL controversially offered former coach Brad Fittler a trimmed-down contract in 2023 which made the head coaching role a part-time job.
On Tuesday, NSWRL boss Dave Trodden said King will be employed on a full-time basis in order to do the job properly.
“I think the full-time nature of the role has been dependent on the people who have been in the role,” he said.
“Loz (Daley) for obvious reasons over the last couple of years had another occupation (in radio), and Freddy (Fittler) had obligations with Nine before that.
Former Blues head coach Laurie Daley (right) speaks to his assistant Matt King (left). Getty
“With someone like Matt in the role who doesn’t have other occupations... we jump at the opportunity to give him the breadth... to make sure he can deliver for us.”
Daley copped plenty of criticism after the Blues lost the unlosable series last year, and then seemed on the cusp of losing his sixth series in seven attempts when the 2026 edition went to a decider at Suncorp Stadium.
But NSW stunned Queensland to win in Brisbane and reclaim the shield.
King is aware of the public and media scrutiny that comes with such a position and he says he is ready for it.
“I’m so aware of what’s coming my way, and I’m signing up to it,” he said.
“Loz dealt with it in a way that I really respected. Not one time when Loz was under pressure during his tenure did he push that heat onto anyone in his staff or his playing group.
“He absorbed it, and I really admired that, and I realise that’s a massive part of my job, is to absorb it.”
Matt King celebrates a try with Braith Anasta during NSW’s game three victory at Suncorp Stadium in 2005. Getty Images
Daley, 56, chose not to seek a fresh contract after coaching the Blues to a stunning series victory last month.
Speaking to Nine after confirming the news, Daley threw his support behind King to lead the Blues.
“He’s been part of this group for the last three years,” the outgoing coach said.
“He’s been a major influence on our team.”
In paying tribute to Daley on Monday, Trodden labelled the 2014 and 2026 victories “arguably two of the greatest Origin series wins of all time”.
