From Garbo to Coach: Matt King Takes the Helm of NSW Blues
Matt King, a former rugby league star, steps into the role of head coach for the New South Wales Blues, succeeding Laurie Daley, who won the Origin series this year but faced scrutiny regarding his coaching experience. King's unconventional journey includes working as a garbage collector and a barman before achieving rugby league's highest accolades. Despite lacking first-grade coaching experience, King has spent a decade developing his skills behind the scenes, including: Coaching the NSW Under-18s Serving as an assistant with Lebanon, Sydney Roosters, and the Blues Initially hesitant about coaching, King gained confidence through his experiences, particularly under Daley and Michael Maguire. He expressed gratitude for the faith shown in him by his mentors, which bolstered his self-belief and readiness for this new challenge. King's previous work with the Blues, where he managed the attack while Daley focused on motivation, has equipped him for the pressures of coaching at the Origin level. He acknowledged the unique challenges of this role compared to club coaching, emphasizing the importance of resilience and clarity for success in State of Origin. The NSWRL had long viewed King as a future leader, with chief executive David Trodden confirming that the plan was always for him to take over. Despite being overlooked two years ago, King remained committed to his goal and is now prepared to lead the team, understanding the scrutiny that comes with the position. As he embarks on this new chapter, King is determined to leverage his experience and insights to foster cohesion and courage within the Blues squad.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-08-04