With the constant mounting speculation surrounding the future of Ricky Stuart as NSW coach, a replacement will be needed, should he decide to leave.
Should Stuart leave as the NSW coach, former NSW representative Trent Barrett, has put his hand up to take over the role of the representative side – with the former half playing in 11 Origin games, throughout his career.
“It’s a dream job but that’s not up to me,” Barrett said of coaching NSW.
“Every bloke in NSW would put their hand up. There are other guys there like Laurie (Daley) and Freddie (Brad Fittler). They would certainly do a great job, too.”
With Stuart yet to actually make a decision on his future, he has intimated in the past that he would like to return to full-time coaching at club level.
Barrett is not the only one in the list of possible replacements should Stuart leave, with both Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler also on the shortlist as potential candidates for the role, down the track.
“It is something I want to do — coach down the track,” Barrett said. “I have had the two years out of club footy. I think I would love to coach at some stage. I needed those two years away and this is the second year out. That was the advice from everyone — just to give yourself a break from it.
“I love being around footy players — that is what I have done all my life. I have been real lucky to fall into this role when I finished.”