Daley recruits Bellamy to assist NSW for State of Origin 2025
New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has recruited the help of Craig Bellamy for State of Origin 2025, with the Melbourne Storm mentor agreeing to assist the Blues in next year’s campaign.
Bellamy’s role will involve team selection and working with the Blues coaching staff when his NRL commitments allow.
Daley, who landed the New South Wales coaching role on Monday after previously holding the position from 2013 to 2017, revealed that Bellamy did not take much convincing.
“I didn’t really have to put the sell on,” he said.
“When you want to try and create a centre of excellence or a high-performance unit, you start with the best and work your way down.
“All he can do is just say ‘no’, so I rang him out of the blue and he said, ‘give me some time’. I left him alone for a week and called him back.
“He said, ‘I’m interested’.
“Then we discussed what type of role it would be if I was to be appointed.”
Daley and Bellamy played together at the Canberra Raiders between 1987 and 1992, while they collaborated as coaches in 2013 for the Indigenous All Stars.
The 55-year-old lauded Bellamy’s approach to leading a team, highlighting how much of an asset the former Blues coach will be in next year’s campaign.
“Both of us have that passion and desire to be successful,” he said.
“Knowing Craig the way I do; the way he operates, the way he goes about building structures in a footy team, the way he interacts with coaches, the way he interacts with players, I think he is going to be a real asset for us.
“Craig will help the coaches; he’ll also be a part of the group and I’m pretty excited to have him involved.
“I think if I’m excited, the players will be extremely excited to get to work with someone like Craig.
“You only have to look at what he’s achieved in the game.
“He’s passionate about New South Wales, he wants to be a part of it, which is exciting for us.
“No doubt with him being there with us we’ll all learn.”
Early State of Origin betting odds have New South Wales as favourites for the 2025 series, with rugby league bookmakers paying -151.52 for a Blues win.
Queensland, who failed to convert a 1-0 series lead into victory this year, are +125 underdogs at PlayUp.
