Ex-Warrington Wolves favourite backed by NRL boss to earn huge rugby league job

Sydney Roosters boss Trent Robinson has backed former Warrington Wolves centre Matt King to earn one of the biggest jobs in rugby league. King has been coaching since hanging up his boots at the end of the 2013 season, two years after his four-season stint at the Halliwell Jones Stadium came to an end.

The 44-year-old started his post-playing career with South Sydney Rabbitohs but he has spent the last nine years on the backroom staff at the Roosters, where he has developed a reputation has one of the brightest young coaches in the game Down Under.

As such, while he has never held a head coach role, he is being touted to take on the New South Wales State of Origin job. The head coach position is vacant at present after Michael Maguire’s decision to take charge of Brisbane Broncos and King is said to be leading the chase to fill it.

He has worked with the Blues before as an assistant and according to a Daily Telegraph report, he has the backing of key players within the State of Origin environment. Other candidates include Manly Sea Eagles man Michael Ennis, Brett White, Laurie Daley and former Wigan Warriors man Trent Barrett.

However, King is one of the frontrunners and Robinson has given his support to his assistant, who would have to leave the Roosters should he get the New South Wales nod.

“He’s ready,” Robinson told the Telegraph about the ex-Wire man, who made 106 appearances and scored 66 tries in primrose and blue. “He’s been coaching with us for nine years.

“He’s been involved in successful teams with NSW and Lebanon. People forget he was an assistant to Michael Cheika for Lebanon at the 2021 World Cup, he’s had plenty of experience and he’s played in that Origin arena.

“So he’s ready to go. People often see Kingy as the frizzy hair centre, but there’s a great coach under there. This is the thing, he’s got a great knowledge of the game, so that’s really key.

“But his temperament at all times is really solid. His ability to regulate himself, no matter the situation, good or bad, has been his strength. Which is going to be needed in that arena.”

King joined Warrington Wolves in 2008 and helped the club lift the Challenge Cup final on two occasions with wins coming in 2009 and 2010.