Monday 17 July 2017 13:53, UK
Jenna Brooks has the latest from the NRL as Andrew Johns ends speculation of coaching NSW, Brett Morris announces his retirement from representative rugby, and Wayne Bennett makes a tough decision.
What Next for NSW?
It was meant to be the changing of the guard, instead, Queensland's dominance in State of Origin continued last week when they beat New South Wales 22-6 in 'The Decider' to win an 11th series in 12 years.
Questions are now being asked of the Blues, in particular, coach Laurie Daley, with a full review being carried out this month.
After five years in charge and just one series win, Daley is out of contract and under fire. He said he will make a decision on his future in the coming weeks, but there has been a push for Rugby League's eighth immortal Andrew Johns to step in and replace Daley.
Johns was asked if he would consider coaching New South Wales next year, but the former Blues and Australia legend simply said, "No, not as a head coach. Definitely not, no.
"No, I see what it does, especially this series, what it does to Laurie Daley. I don't need that in my life."
Johns believes his former Blues and Kangaroos team-mate Brad Fittler would be the ideal candidate, if the position was available.
He said: "If Laurie was not to continue, I think Brad Fittler had served his apprenticeship with City-Country. He's had great success with the City team and he'd be ready to step in."
Morris to Retire
Blues winger Brett Morris has announced he will retire from representative rugby league, effective immediately.
It's still unclear why the 30-year old has called time on his representative career with less than four months to go before the World Cup.
Morris has played 15 times for NSW, and scored a remarkable 23 tries in 18 games for Australia.
"It was an absolute honour to wear the Blues jersey for one last time," Morris wrote on Instagram.
"I'm so proud to have been able to represent my state and my family in the toughest arena of all and have now made the decision to retire from rep football."
Morris is contracted to the Canterbury Bulldogs until the end of next season.
England Represents
Two former Super League players combined to help Canberra record a golden-point win over St George Illawarra on Friday.
The score was locked at 14-all after 80 minutes, sending the game into extra-time. A Dave Taylor offload to Elliott Whitehead allowed the England international to score between the posts and snap the Raiders' four-game losing streak, keeping their finals hopes alive.
Gareth Widdop impressed on the losing side. The Dragons captain scored 10 of his side's 14 points, but it wasn't enough as his England team-mate completed the win for Canberra.
Wayne's Choice
Sam Thaiday will be forced to either find a new club or retire at the end of next season after being told by coach Wayne Bennett he won't be offered a new contract at Brisbane.
It's been a tough couple of weeks for the 32-year old, who was dropped from Queensland's Origin team after Game I, and Bennett confirmed next year would be the end of Thaiday's playing career with Brisbane.
"Sam has a long-term future at the Broncos beyond football and I still want him to be part of the club in some way," Bennett said.
"I guess it's up to him if he wants to retire next year, but I just know we won't be re-signing Sam and I've told him that."
The Queensland and Australia forward, who made his Brisbane debut in 2003, said he won't make a decision until next year.
"Whether the body can deal with a bit more banging around, I'll assess come this time next year," Thaiday said.
"I don't know, there are 15 other clubs out there and who knows what can happen."
"None of us want to stop playing the game we love."
