Matt King puts character at centre of NSW Origin selection
The new Blues coach says he will make the final selection decisions while drawing on his staff as he begins his first full-time NSW role.
Matt King has begun work as NSW’s State of Origin coach, saying players’ character, form and ability to complement teammates will shape his selection decisions.
The 46-year-old started in the role after Lebanon’s Rugby League World Cup campaign ended. He had been an assistant with Lebanon and takes over the Blues following his work under predecessor Laurie Daley.
King said he would have the final say on the team but would seek advice from his coaching staff. That group includes NRL assistants Brett White, Boyd Cordner and Ben Hornby, alongside Ryan Hinchcliffe and Frank Ponissi.
He said being a good person was the starting point for earning a NSW jersey. Previous performances for the Blues would also matter, with players’ strengths and weaknesses assessed against those of the teammates around them.
King acknowledged that missing out on the job to Daley two years earlier had hurt, but said he now recognised he had not been ready. Working beside Daley had given him lessons that left him feeling prepared for the role and its scrutiny.
He also credited Craig Bellamy and Michael Maguire with developing his discipline and toughness, while describing Trent Robinson as a major influence on his understanding of how the game should be played.
