The NSW Blues are set to suffer a shattering State of Origin blow before a ball has been kicked in the 2026 season.
Master coach Craig Bellamy is poised to stand down from his key role as coaching advisor to head coach Laurie Daley.
Bellamy has yet to make the decision official, but sources in the NSW Rugby League have told Wide World of Sports that he won’t be there.
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Craig Bellamy looks on during a Blues training session at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence in June. Darrian Traynor via Getty Images
Having recently re-signed with the Melbourne Storm for the next three years, Bellamy feels he needs to channel all his energy into the club.
The Storm are at a crisis point, with back-to-back grand final losses, several players leaving over the summer, and a heavy loss in the pre-season challenge last weekend.
With Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi also involved in the Blues campaign, Bellamy feels he cannot leave his team for an extended period at the crucial midway mark of the season.
His decision will come as a major setback to Daley and the Blues after their crushing defeat in last year’s series.
The Blues won the first game in Brisbane, putting them in the box seat, but then proceeded to lose the next two to hand Queensland the trophy.
Bellamy’s role – a first in State of Origin – was to support the coaching staff with ideas, strategy and big-game insights.
He is not expected to be replaced.