Michael Ennis Puts Hand Up For NSW Role — What Time Is The State Of Origin On Tonight
Michael Ennis has put his name forward for the NSW State of Origin coaching job if Laurie Daley leaves, adding a new twist to what time is the state of origin on tonight conversation around the Blues. Daley’s future is already under speculation, and that leaves NSW facing a possible vacancy after the 2026 series.
Ennis said he would like to coach the Blues “at the right time,” and the timing matters because the next NSW appointment could need someone who is not tied to an NRL club. Ivan Cleary has been mentioned as a possible successor, but he has said he will step down as Panthers boss at the end of 2027 and would not be allowed to take the NSW role in 2027 while still in that job.
Ennis and Daley
Corey Parker set the tone on Wednesday when he said Ennis would be “perfect for the NSW Origin role,” while also pointing to Daley’s record and the uncertainty around his future. Parker said Daley “has had five series and he’s won one,” then added, “By all reports this is Laurie’s last.”
Ennis answered later in the morning and made his position clear. “I grew up idolising the era of Laurie so it feels a little rude talking about it on the even or Origin 1,” he said. “But when Laurie has decided he has had enough it’s definitely something I would like to do. I love that arena, I love what comes with it, the expectation and the pressure. The level of the players. I would love to do it at the right time.”
Blues succession picture
The coaching succession talk is not happening in a vacuum. If Daley does depart at the end of the 2026 series, the Blues’ hierarchy will need a replacement who is not affiliated with an NRL club, which narrows the field quickly and explains why Ennis is being talked about so early.
Ennis has the résumé that keeps him in the conversation. He played eight State of Origin games for NSW between 2009 and 2015, spent 274 NRL games across the Knights, Dragons, Broncos, Bulldogs and Sharks, and helped lead Cronulla to the 2016 premiership. He was also recently sacked from his assistant role at the Dragons and previously worked as an assistant at Manly.
Daley on Game 1
Daley has pushed back on the noise around his future. On the eve of Origin 1, he said, “I know exactly what I want to do,” and added, “There’s no surprise with what I’m doing. I know what my future looks like, but for me I am headfirst into Game 1.” He also said, “It’s not a story as far as I’m concerned. Why would I be worried? I’m not a career coach - never have been, never will be.”
For NSW, the practical issue sits beyond the first game of this series. Daley’s stance keeps the present stable, but the next coaching call could become a club-free search if the speculation proves right after 2026, and Ennis has already made clear he wants to be in that frame.
