NRL premiership coach Des Hasler believes allowing Ricky Stuart to retain his NSW job if he becomes Parramatta coach would be a backward step.
Stuart was appointed NSW’s first full-time coach in late 2010, in response to the model used by Queensland with Mal Meninga which had brought the Maroons’ five straight State of Origin series wins at the time.
But Stuart, set to be unveiled as the Eels’ new coach on Thursday, has already expressed his desire to combine the Blues job with any NRL club duties.
The NSW Rugby League’s preference is to retain a full-time coach and Canterbury mentor Hasler feels that’s the correct way to go.
“It’s a model that seems to work,” Hasler said on Wednesday.
Hasler said if Stuart did combine the Blues job with the Eels role, the key to making the situation work would rely heavily on Stuart’s support staff.
“It just depends on the personnel and who you’ve got running it in there,” he said.
“I saw one particular argument where a lot of the staff who were involved in this year, remain involved in the lead-up to it and then Ricky, the current State of Origin coach, could come in and step in there.
“I know Ricky did a lot of work in the lead-up to it in getting it all prepared – that’s where it gets a bit onerous.”
Hasler was typically ambiguous when asked if he had considered becoming Blues coach.
“I’ve been asked that question a lot of times,” he said.
“At the moment, I’m currently a club coach and the model doesn’t allow it.
“It’s something that’s always an invitation.”