It has been almost 14 years since an NRL coach was also in charge at State of Origin level, however with Michael Maguire walking out on the Blues to join the Broncos this week, the conversation has been thrust back into the limelight.
Maguire was announced as Brisbane’s new head coach after just one series at the helm of New South Wales.
With Maguire released from the second year of his contract, the Blues have been forced into their second search for a coach in the space of 12 months after Brad Fittler was pushed out at the end of last year.
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Craig Bellamy, coach of the Storm and Ivan Cleary, coach of the Panthers, pose alongside the Provan-Summons Trophy. Brendon Thorne via Getty Images
Penrith premiership coach Ivan Cleary has been put forward as a potential candidate to replace Maguire, with Phil Gould also suggesting legendary Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.
But there is one problem — NSWRL’s policy of only appointing non-NRL aligned coaches, which was implemented in 2010 because of the increasing demands of the representative role.
“I think those great coaches like Cleary and Bellamy could honestly coach Origin, but it’s a distraction for their club. I think it would be second nature for Cleary or Bellamy to step in and do that job and I think it would be the best course of action,” former Blues coach Gould told Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
Juggling club land and representative footy used to be the norm with the likes of Ricky Stuart and Michael Hagan in charge of their respective state teams in the mid-2000s while also managing the Roosters and Knights.
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Both Cleary and Bellamy are committed to their respective clubs for 2025.
Speaking at the NRL fan fest on Thursday, Cleary was asked if he could juggle both NRL and Origin coaching duties.
Appearing confused that his name was being suggested for NSW’s top job, Cleary simply replied: “No idea.”
Bellamy was at the helm of both the Storm and the Blues between 2008 and 2010.
Probed for his take on the matter, Bellamy admitted handling both teams was a big commitment and one that he would not undertake again anytime soon.
“I don’t know if you could do it these days,” he said.
“Myself, I would never try that again.
“I think it needs someone independent of coaching in the NRL.”
Names such as Laurie Daley, Michael Ennis and Paul McGregor have been floated by pundits for the vacant job.