AAA<\/p>\n
Rugby league commentator and former Blues five-eighth Matthew Johns is one of TV\u2019s funniest men but it\u2019s time for him to stop treating the NSW coaching job as a punchline.<\/p>\n
Blues coach Laurie Daley has spent the week meeting his senior players, including Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo as they try and find a way to beat Queensland in Origin III in Brisbane on July 8.<\/p>\n
Daley is also dealing with the conversation that this is his last hurrah. And that he can\u2019t coach. It\u2019s brutal. And the circus around his future had fire poured on it by Johns.<\/p>\n
When asked on his Sunday Night Show last weekend by co-host Bryan Fletcher if he would be interested in coaching NSW next year, Johns said: \u201cAbsolutely not. If Joey (Andrew Johns) does it, I\u2019ll help Joey out. That\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
It hasn\u2019t gone down well in Blues circles. Not for the first time Matthew has flirted with the idea of coaching NSW. This is done with the caveat that his brother Andrew will do it with him. So if Andrew says he doesn\u2019t want to do it<\/a> \u2013 which he has said before and said again \u2013 then Matthew doesn\u2019t have to do it.<\/p>\n The feeling is Matty gets some laughs out of it and benefits from the publicity for his show on Fox Sports.<\/p>\n \u201cI can promise you I\u2019m not taking the piss out of Laurie,\u201d Matthew said.<\/p>\n \u201cI made the coaching comment in jest and I couldn\u2019t believe the fallout and the phone calls I was getting about it. It was a throwaway line and no part of it was meant to disrespect Laurie. I have all the time in the world for him. I wouldn\u2019t want to cause him any trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n Here is a message for Matthew: don\u2019t duck behind your brother. If Daley doesn\u2019t want the job, Matthew should put his hand up and do the gig on his own.<\/p>\n Behind the clown act from Matthew is a brilliant football mind. We see that in his analysis. It\u2019s sharp. It\u2019s to the point. He is also a great communicator. He can play the media like a fiddle. If you want someone who can bond a group, it would be Matty. He could also work on a message that gets under the skin of Queensland. He ticks every box.<\/p>\n He also knows key characters in the Queensland side inside out. He could find weaknesses in coach Billy Slater, hooker Harry Grant and captain Cam Munster. He knows all of them very well.<\/p>\n Matthew knows Billy from his time as a specialist coach with the Storm. If he took on the Origin job, he can still work in the media and get one of his sidekicks to fill in. And if he is genuinely concerned he can fob it off as a one off before Ivan Cleary is available in 2028.<\/p>\n There are obviously more realistic contenders like NSW assistants Boyd Cordner or Matt King but if there is a one-off appointment \u2013 a gap year solution \u2013 between Daley and the next coach, Matthew should stick his hand up and help the state.<\/p>\n \u201cI think you need to be coaching fit,\u201d he said. \u201cTo do a job like that you\u2019d need to be doing something else in the coaching world. I did think about it with Samoa a few years back. And yes, tactically I think I have an idea. But the communication these days with younger players is different. I\u2019d be speaking English, and they\u2019d think I was speaking Latin.\u201d<\/p>\n After making those comments, Johns rang back to add this: \u201cHowever, having said all that, if Queensland are interested \u2026 \u201d<\/p>\n Where\u2019s Mal?<\/p>\n Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga is still considered far from certain to lead the expansion club in their first NRL game next year.<\/p>\n The main thing holding him down is the $1 million-a-year deal he has in place with the NRL who own the Bears.<\/p>\n New Bears general manager Gareth Holmes is the latest person in a position of power to be viewed as a non-Meninga appointment.<\/p>\n Meninga has been on annual leave and is due to move to Perth any day. Taking leave with a roster still needing work appears odd, but the club has defended him.<\/p>\n \u201cMal has been with the Perth Bears for a year now and hasn\u2019t taken a single day off,\u201d Bears chief executive Anthony De Ceglie said. \u201cThis has included working through periods like Christmas and New Year and across public holidays.<\/p>\n \u201cEven an Immortal needs a holiday to recharge; and as a leader of the club he was encouraged by myself as the CEO to take a break as an example to others about how important it is not to burn out and to empower those around you.<\/p>\n \u201cThis period across school holidays was the logical timeframe for a quick recharge before finalising our squad, finalising our staff, moving into our training facility and then welcoming relocated players to Perth among many other crucial tasks.<\/p>\n \u201cMal has still been in meetings, taking phone calls and answering emails \u2013 to the point where I have had to remind him that he\u2019s actually meant to be on leave. We also talk often about being a \u2018family club\u2019, and I genuinely believe that part of that is ensuring we spend time being present with our own families.\u201d<\/p>\n It remains to be seen if Meninga\u2019s transition to Perth will be done alone or with his family. His relationship with assistant coach Ben Gardiner is still fractured. Gardiner, who is due to succeed Meninga in 2029<\/a>, is viewed by some as the man who will be the head coach in their inaugural season.<\/p>\n Meninga has kept a low profile lately, except for a paid News Corp media trip to Perth. That backfired when this column exposed him<\/a> for breaching the rules around commenting on poaching players who are still contracted.<\/p>\n Meninga received a suspended fine of $20,000<\/a> and the NRL, embarrassingly, had to fine itself $20,000.<\/p>\n When it comes to Meninga\u2019s holiday, in fairness to him there is no coaching to be done. However, a big attraction of signing the former Australia, Queensland and Canberra captain is his presence and ability to sway potential recruits.<\/p>\n The Bears still have room to sign a big name or three, and Meninga can seal a deal. In his absence, the club has signed David Campese to recruit<\/a>.<\/p>\n And they are getting close to some salary-cap exemptions, but Meninga was not in town to celebrate and take advantage of those moments.<\/p>\n Trodden takes umbrage at Daley scuttlebutt<\/p>\n NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden has ridiculed suggestions he is about to be quit or be moved on from his job. Claims that he was on borrowed time were aired on a podcast during the week. \u201cIt\u2019s nonsense,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not going anywhere. A simple phone call to check would have been nice, but that may have meant there was no story to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n Trodden has been under pressure over his 2025 appointment of Laurie Daley as Blues coach.<\/p>\n I put a few questions to Trodden before next month\u2019s Origin decider in Brisbane.<\/p>\n DW: People are saying that you\u2019re too close to Laurie. Is that unfair? DW: Do you go out together? DW: Did he get the job purely on his own merits or was it because of the friendship with you? DW: Is the decider on July 8 his last game as NSW coach? Big Wednesday for rights deal?<\/p>\n The NRL TV rights deal could go before the Australian Rugby League Commission board as early as Wednesday, pending the resolution of final details.<\/p>\n It appears sports streaming company DAZN, the owners of Foxtel, will have the pay TV rights and Nine, the owner of this masthead, the free-to-air rights in a seven-year, $5 billion deal<\/a>. NRL supremo Peter V\u2019landys has gone full throttle to lock up the deal, hoping to get it done by July 15 \u2013 Andrew Abdo\u2019s final day as chief executive. And it will happen by then.<\/p>\n If the NRL gets what it is after in the final stages of the negotiations, the deal will be worth $1 billion more than the one struck by the AFL over the same period of time.<\/p>\n There are still some final details to be sorted out. However, the dramatic exit of Today show host Karl Stefanovic\u00a0<\/a>from Nine during the week played some havoc with the network\u2019s negotiations.<\/p>\n Two of the main players in the talks, Nine chairman Peter Tonagh and WIN Corporation boss Andrew Lancaster, were in Wollongong with V\u2019landys, who was meeting the Dragons board and touring the newly opened Bruce Gordon Centre when the Stefanovic drama unfolded.<\/p>\n In between all his dealings, PVL has had some interesting interactions with members of the public.<\/p>\n In Melbourne for Origin II, he and Abdo were not allowed on to the MCG when the ground was having technology issues. Fortunately, someone at the ground recognised V\u2019landys and let the pair in.<\/p>\n Then, when he was in Christchurch last weekend at the Warriors-Cowboys game, V\u2019landys had his credit card declined when he tried to buy a pie. A punter came to his rescue and tried to pay, but his card was also declined. PVL fiddled with his bank app and eventually managed to pay, before enjoying his snack while sitting with fans in the stands.<\/p>\n Will Andy be handy for league?<\/p>\n Rugby league has always been a poor cousin to soccer to England, but that may be about to change.<\/p>\n Prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham served as president of the Rugby Football League, the governing body of rugby league in England, in 2018-19. If Burnham is elevated to the top job, the code could get the respect and profile it deserves.<\/p>\n Gus double-booked for Blues dinner<\/p>\n Phil Gould, who coached the Blues to a 3-0 series win in 1996, won\u2019t attend a reunion dinner on Monday night celebrating one of the great Origin years.<\/p>\n Gould was invited by former ARL boss Geoff Carr but is unavailable. He appears on 100% Footy every Monday night and that will mean he can\u2019t attend.<\/p>\n The timing is unfortunate, but after the Blues read this, they might try to change the day.<\/p>\n Chiefs\u2019 stairway to seven The Papua New Guinea Chiefs aren\u2019t afraid to get tongues wagging as they continue their preparations for their 2028 NRL debut.<\/p>\n One of our spies in the media noticed a unique initiative built into the club\u2019s temporary digs. The staircase leading to the Chiefs\u2019 offices inside the National Football Stadium in Port Moresby has each of their top-30 signings etched into the steps, numbered off in order of arrival. The numbering tradition was introduced for the club\u2019s first signing when Jarome Luai was unveiled as \u201cPlayer 001.\u201d Every arrival has since taken the next number \u2013 Alex Johnston at 002, Connor Watson at 003, Matty Lees at 004. But it\u2019s the step that isn\u2019t filled in yet causing the real stir. Sitting two spots ahead of the steps, marked simply \u201c(RESERVED) \u2014 007.\u201d It\u2019s an iconic number and synonymous with the James Bond films.<\/p>\n Coincidence? Maybe. The Chiefs aren\u2019t saying. But it\u2019s hard not to draw a connection to a rather familiar soon-to-be free agent who wears the No.7 jersey for Penrith, NSW and Australia \u2013 none other than Nathan Cleary.<\/p>\n Subtlety has never been the Chiefs\u2019 style. Is it a signal or just a cheeky bit of fun from a club that knows how to work a headline? Time will tell.<\/p>\n Veteran stays in the Hunt amid Pezet concerns<\/p>\n The Broncos\u2019 signing of veteran playmaker Ben Hunt on a $400,000 deal for next season is an insurance move as the club is worried about incoming half Jonah Pezet, who played for Parramatta\u2019s NSW Cup team on Friday night.<\/p>\n This column has been hearing it for weeks, and there is no other way of saying it: the Broncos have been watching Pezet from afar and are concerned.<\/p>\n It may be too strong to say they have buyer\u2019s regret, but it\u2019s not far off the mark. The reports out of the Eels concerning Pezet, who is in the middle of a gap year at Parramatta before joining the Broncos in 2027, have not been glowing.<\/p>\n But the good thing is there is a belief in the Broncos that they can work with his natural talent and considerable confidence and make him into a first-grade half. But they have Hunt there just in case.<\/p>\n That\u2019s smart. Hunt is a quality person who will bust his backside for the Broncos. He still has ambitions to be a starting halfback, which shows amazing drive from a man edging towards 400 NRL games.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Andrew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/caa8ee6db159cd35a70a99a956b8c2c5d29d595b.jpeg\")
Andrew and Matty Johns together in the Blues camp in 2018.Getty<\/p>\n![\"Maroons](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/d70cd6d5a00a9ba2e01e756a2c5059f9c97ad1d6.jpeg\")
Maroons coach Billy Slater.Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Mal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bf32d010649ebb26b6e43d1bbbc8915b1649a8a6.jpeg\")
Mal Meninga has taken leave with the blessing of Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie.Trevor Collens<\/p>\n![\"Assistant](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/48f9c35d8cda8c06b3147969aaab5e3e95bd838e71fc338ca5f859736f151eab.jpeg\")
Assistant Ben Gardiner will succeed Meninga as head coach in 2029.Ed Sykes\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Under](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782593913_380_0ef4c08b5d86c31a0c74e238cc15cbb03a11c0e0.jpeg\")
Under pressure: NSW coach Laurie Daley.Getty Images<\/p>\n
DT: I have a high regard for Laurie and I don\u2019t shy away from that. I mean, I\u2019m proud of the relationship I have with Laurie. I\u2019m not embarrassed by it at all. But the relationship is a professional relationship.<\/p>\n
DT: No. I\u2019ve never been to his house. I don\u2019t go to the pub with him for a beer after work. The relationship is a totally professional one. I\u2019m very loyal to him, but I\u2019m loyal to every one of our employees and if the criticism of me is I\u2019m loyal to my employees, I\u2019ll cop that.<\/p>\n
DT: Well, the process, that sort of analysis is really annoying. I mean, a business of our size, we have a process that\u2019s conducted by our HR department, it\u2019s overseen by a subcommittee which includes two directors, they make a recommendation that goes to the board, like any professional business. The annoying thing is that people make observations which are totally unfounded, totally untrue, without even bothering to check what the process is. It demeans Laurie, it demeans the board, too. It demeans everybody in the organisation and that\u2019s a bit hard to cop sometimes.<\/p>\n
DT: That\u2019s not something we\u2019ve discussed and not something we would discuss until after game three.<\/p>\n![\"Karl](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a3c2ac4e62600b3bce2732c91f33051b438522b0.png\")
Karl Stefanovic left Nine abruptly this week.YouTube<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9d8a4656cb882d32c2daba53ee746be3cf345953.jpeg\")
The steps at PNG Chiefs HQ highlighting their recruits ahead of the 2028 NRL season.<\/p>\n