With his club team languishing in 15th position at the moment, Titans coach John Cartwright has made the decision to step aside as the NSW assistant coach, and focus on his club commitments with the Titans.
It was a phone-call from Cartwright to NSW Blues coach Ricky Stuart that resulted in the decision, with Carty feeling that he had to focus all of his attention on the Titans, given their poor position on the ladder.
“I’ve just decided that it was probably a little bit too much to be away with where we are at the moment,” Cartwright said.
“I just probably wouldn’t be able to get my head around being involved in the NSW team.”
The two have had a long-term partnership, with Cartwright an assistant under Ricky, during his time at the Roosters, when they won the premiership in 2002.
“My priority has always been here and none of us ever intended for us to be in this situation but if anything I’m excited by it,” Cartwright said of the Titans’ struggles.
“I think it’s a challenge, we haven’t been in these waters before and we’re halfway through the season and looking to finish the back end of the year on a high.
“I just don’t think I could’ve got my head around being down there while the side was up here working hard.”