The pool for the Queensland Maroons head coaching role has been narrowed down by league greats, but Ruan Sims believes one name has been forgotten in the discussion.
The departure of Tahnee Norris from the top job after five seasons has sparked mass speculation in recent days over who will be the next person to take the reins.
Speaking on NRLW Wrap on Saturday, Sims and league great Allana Ferguson both agreed that Greg Inglis was a leading candidate for the role as well as Nathan Cross.
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But Sims could not believe she left out one major candidate.
“After I spoke about it last week I thought about it and went, ‘Oh my goodness, I can’t believe this name didn’t pop into my mind first’. It’s Karyn Murphy,” the former Jillaroos skipper said on Wide World of Sports’ NRLW Weekly.
Gold Coast Titans head coach Karyn Murphy. NRL Imagery
Murphy is a NRL Hall of Famer who was described by Queensland legend Wally Lewis as one of the most talented players he had ever seen take the field.
Over her 15 year career, Murphy, a remarkable playmaker, represented the green and gold in 27 Tests and also led the team to its first World Cup victory in 2013.
Following her retirement as a player, Murphy worked to create pathway programs for the next generation of stars and has even had a medal for player of the match in the NRLW grand final named in her honour.
But her achievements in the game do not stop there.
“She is a Queensland and Australian Jillaroos legend,” Sims began.
“She is in the integrity unit for the NRL and she runs the Gold Coast Titans women’s program. She is the head coach of the Titans and has a great level-headed approach.
“She already has a wonderful relationship with all of these players.
“I think regardless of which way they go, all three are great options.”
Both Murphy and Cross have experience working as head coach of an NRLW team, with both currently leading playing groups through the 2025 season.
However, NRL legend Inglis is no stranger to the operations behind the women’s game.
Inglis worked under former Maroons coach Norris as an assistant coach, a role he also holds at the Wests Tigers, but Sims fears his lack of experience in the top job could be what sees him fall short in the race.
“GI has been spoken about and I know that he would be fantastic and do such a great job. He is so passionate about the women’s game and that has been evidenced for a very, very long time,” she said.
“I kind of have a feeling that Karyn Murphy and Nathan Cross may be closer to the head coach role. They just have a little bit extra because they are both currently running NRLW clubs.
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“I know that GI would fill whatever role that he is allowed to because I know how passionate he is about it. If he got the head coaching role, I would not be surprised.”
Sims noted there has been calls for the State of Origin series timing to be moved into the regular NRLW season like the men’s game instead of being played in the pre-season.
If this were to occur, it would see both Murphy, Cross and current NSW coach John Strange forced to select between holding a representative role or a club role.
“If it moves to sit mid-season, that probably can’t happen,” Sims said of Cross and Murphy’s chances of landing the role.
“If it is pre-season, like it is now, it potentially could.”