Brad Fittler appointed NSW Origin coach

Brad Fittler appointed NSW Origin coach
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/s...24-gzs2m4.html

Brad Fittler has been appointed NSW coach, with the former captain taking the reins after a three-month search for Laurie Daley's successor.

Fittler, a former Sydney Roosters coach and NSW assistant, beat ex-South Sydney coach Michael Maguire to the position and will coach the side he represented 31 times, 14 as captain.

The Blues great takes over a side which won one State of Origin series in five years under Daley, who was told in late August his contract would not be extended.

Chairman of the NSWRL George Peponis says that Fittler was an ideal candidate for the role.

"Given the importance of this appointment, the Board has taken the appropriate amount of time to fully consider the issue. A number of highly qualified candidates expressed an interest in the position. I have no doubt that any one of them could have done a great job if the Board had decided to appoint them. Ultimately, the Board was unanimous in the view that Brad Fittler should be appointed to the position," Peponis said.

"Brad's qualifications for the role are impeccable and his standing within the game is pre-eminent. His recent efforts in the Rugby League World Cup with Lebanon serve as a reminder of his talents as a coach and they provide a window into the exciting future which he will bring the New South Wales State of Origin team."

NSW has won just one of the past 11 Origin series against Queensland.

COACHING

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (58 games): Took over after Chris Anderson's resignation in mid-2007, taking the club to fourth the following year before a straight-sets exit in the finals. Was told his contract would not be renewed at the end of 2009 after the club finished last.

CITY ORIGIN (six games): Took the gig over in 2012, winning three and drawing one. Overcame availability crises to win the last two editions.

LEBANON (four games): Guided the world No.21 Cedars - the lowest ranked in the tournament - to victory over France and losses to heavyweights England and Australia, before narrowly losing to Tonga in the quarter-finals of this year's World Cup.

NSW: Worked as assistant under Laurie Daley and held head coaching positions of junior teams.

PLAYING

PENRITH (199 games): First-grade debut in 1989. Scored a try in the losing 1990 grand final before lifting the trophy the following year as a 19-year-old centre. Played four more seasons at the Panthers.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (217 games): Won the 2002 premiership as captain and played at five-eighth in four grand finals in the early 2000s in a hugely successful period for the club. Was second in number of first-grade games played at the time of his retirement behind Terry Lamb (350).

NSW (31 games): The Blues' youngest player at 18 years and 114 days, debuting in 1990. Has the most appearances for NSW and sits equal seventh on the overall list with Wally Lewis. Captained the side 14 times, taking over the role from Laurie Daley in 1995. Won two series as skipper.

AUSTRALIA (40 games): Captained the side at various times between 1995 and 2001 after becoming the youngest Kangaroo tourist at 18 and 229 days. Won the 1995 and 2000 World Cups as captain.

He's shown with the Lebanon Cedars he can get something out of genuine toilers, but can he get the same out of the Blues? Big names, big ego's, big paychecks. Can he motivate these guys?