State of Origin 2016: Bob Fulton to quit as NSW selection adviser
PHIL ROTHFIELD SPORTS EDITOR-AT-LARGE, The Sunday Telegraph
July 2, 2016 11:00pm
Subscriber exclusive
Rugby league Immortal Bob Fulton will quit his role as the NSW Blues State of Origin selection adviser.
He will inform coach Laurie Daley of his decision on Sunday during their traditional pre-game phone hook-up to discuss the Blues side for the final game of the series at ANZ Stadium on July 13.
Fulton has been a NSW selector and adviser under the last three Origin coaches — Craig Bellamy, Ricky Stuart and Daley.
His decision to stand down is related to increased responsibilities at the Manly Sea Eagles where he is about to be promoted from a part-time consultant to Head of Football. He is undecided on whether to continue as a selector for Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos in the important build-up to next year’s World Cup.
NSW has now lost 10 of the last 11 Origin series and there has been controversy in recent times over team selections and the Blues’ reluctance to introduce new players.
In fairness to Daley, he has ‘retired’ Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis, Ryan Hoffman and Beau Scott.
He also lost the services of former Parramatta Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne.
While copping criticism for the Maroons’ decade-long dominance and particularly last year’s 52-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, Fulton has always given the coaches the team they wanted.
Although we can reveal the Manly Sea Eagles legend had to work hard to convince Daley on a number of selections, including front-rower Andrew Fifita in this year’s series.
Recently NSW Rugby League chief executive Dave Trodden had to publicly support Fulton over suggestions he had guaranteed Dylan Walker a NSW Blues jersey as part of his contract at Manly.
“Bozo’s role is an adviser to Laurie,” Trodden said at the time, “He’s not a selector. Laurie is the sole selector. Comments that Dylan was guaranteed a jersey when he signed at Manly are disrespectful to both Bozo and Laurie and Dylan Walker for the matter.”
Fulton’s decision to stand down adds enormous interest to the side to be announced on Monday for the final game of the series.
It is expected they will finally choose Penrith’s boom utility star Bryce Cartwright and the Wests Tigers’ fullback James Tedesco.
There have been question marks over the selections of the likes of Greg Bird, Robbie Farah and Paul Gallen considering it is a dead rubber and an opportunity to give more youngsters a taste.
Although Daley and Fulton have copped plenty of criticism, the standard of the opposition in recent years has to be taken into account with the Maroons fielding a side including Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges — arguably the best rugby league team ever assembled.
