The father of ex-Newcastle Knights player Jasmin Strange has been handed the reins of the NSW Women’s State of Origin team.
Sydney Roosters mentor John Strange was announced to replace Kylie Hilder, who stepped down last month following consecutive series defeats.
The 2021 and 2024 premiership-winner overcame interest from former NSW stars Brett Kimmorley and Jamie Soward to become the first active NRLW coach in charge of an Origin team.
Jess Skinner, Ruan Sims and Kate Mullaly had been considered other head-coaching options ahead of the second three-match series, to be played in May.
Strange’s daughter, Gosford product Jasmin, starred on the wing for Newcastle in 2023, claiming the NRLW title.
He’ll miss the beginning of Sydney’s pre-season to take on the role, with the 12 NRLW clubs slated to return to training in the lead-up to Origin III.
But, leading an NRLW team could also have its perks for the new NSW boss, who coaches Queensland playmaker Tarryn Aiken at the Roosters.
“I think it’s an advantage, to be honest,” said Strange, who holds a 74% winning record in four seasons at the club.
“The fact that I’ve been given this opportunity, I’m very excited by it.”
Hilder named the same 17 players for each game of the inaugural three-match series, including six from Strange’s outfit.
However, he’ll pay little attention to incumbency as he welcomes 30 prospective Sky Blues to boot camp ahead of Origin I.
“(Incumbency) actually doesn’t mean anything,” he said.
“There’s a saying I have at the start of every (NRLW) season to the girls, that I don’t pick the team, I just read the names out.
“I tell them, ‘You girls pick the team based on how you put yourselves forward’.
“I say, ‘Whether you’ve played for your country or your state, or whether you’ve come out Tarsha Gale (Cup), you’re all on an even keel’ and I do mean that… and the girls know that.”
Women’s rugby league trailblazer Sims will reprise her role as assistant coach in 2025, with Strange preparing to welcome other women onto staff as well.
“It’s really important to me that the assistant coaches are female because I really do want to mentor coaches in this space for females to take over from me,” he added.
Changes to scheduling have meant there will be five weeks between Origin III and the start of the NRLW season in 2025, up from four this year.
“We didn’t get that much time before round one together (in the 2024 pre-season), so now all NRLW clubs get a good chunk with all their Origin players back,” Strange said.
“I prefer this format, for sure.”
Blues legend Laurie Daley replaces Michael Maguire with the men’s team.
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