Fittler appointed as New South Wales Blues boss

New South Wales have appointed Brad Fittler as the head coach of the Blues’ State of Origin team for the next two years.

The decision was made following a New South Wales Rugby League board meeting and Fittler will now coach the Blues for the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Fittler is a New South Wales legend, making 31 appearances at Origin level and earned 40 caps on the international stage as a player for Australia.

He is a well-respected coach, having a spell at Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009 before coaching New South Wales’ City side for five years.

And most recently, he has coached Lebanon at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup and has worked wonders for the Cedars, making them a highly-regarded in team in the Rugby League world as they reached the quarter-finals. He will now focus on the Blues.

On the appointment, NSWRL chairman Dr George Peponis, said: “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.

“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.”