Matt King, a former winger who once worked as a garbage collector and barman, has been unveiled as the new coach of the New South Wales Blues, despite never having coached in first grade. He replaces Laurie Daley, who stepped down after winning this year's State of Origin series.
Unlikely Path to the Top Job
King, who was once likened to The Simpsons' character Sideshow Bob for his distinctive hair, admits he has not always believed he could be a head coach. "Five years ago, I wasn't sure whether coaching was for me, to be totally honest," he said. "I was still sort of sifting through what the rest of my life would look like and I daydreamed about what that might look like without footy."
After debuting in first grade at age 23, King quickly became a rugby league hero. In his first State of Origin series, he scored a hat-trick in the decider at Lang Park to earn the first Brad Fittler medal for the Blues' player of the series.
Playing Career and Coaching Journey
King played 10 Tests for Australia but left the NRL in 2008 to join Warrington Wolves in the Super League, returning briefly with the Rabbitohs before retiring in 2013. His coaching career has included stints with NSW Under-18s, assistant roles with Lebanon under Michael Cheika, the Roosters under Trent Robinson, and the Blues under both Michael Maguire and Daley.
"Madge [Maguire] showing me the faith to step into a role under him and to guide the [NSW] team in some really key areas of our footy program was instrumental in self-belief for me," King said, also thanking Cheika and Robinson.
Building Belief with the Blues
King was trusted with the Blues' attack under Daley, who focused on motivation and media. "Loz [Daley] was the boss, don't get me wrong, but he did hand over a lot of the footy aspects to us guys who are in clubland and from that point of view, I felt like I was able to build some real self-belief and confidence in my ability," King said.
Daley's success, despite never coaching first grade, highlights the unique role of an Origin coach. Daley delegated most football responsibilities to King and his staff, including Melbourne Storm's Frank Ponissi, mind coach Gilbert Enoka, and former players Boyd Cordner and Brett White.
Ready for the Cauldron
King understands the scrutiny ahead. "Loz dealt with it in a way which I really respected. At not one stage throughout that time when Loz was under the heat did he ever push that pressure onto anyone, his staff or on to the playing group," he said. "He absorbed it, and I really admired that."
Two years ago, King was overlooked when Daley was appointed, but NSWRL chief executive David Trodden revealed the board had promised King the role in future. "The plan was always that Matt would take this role because he's the very, very best person for it," Trodden said.
King admitted missing out in 2024 "stung" and that he knew he was taking a gamble relying on that promise. "But as it's all panned out, it's been that two-year period, and Troddo [Trodden] is a man of his word, and he's kept that promise to me," King said.
His time under Maguire and Daley has shaped his philosophy. "You've got to be a tough bugger to play State of Origin footy, you need extreme clarity on what your strengths are, leaning into those strengths, how your strengths then tie into the rest of the team, so that cohesion is really important," he said. "But the last piece of the puzzle is you have to find the courage to play your footy."
