Shock as Origin coaches quit immediately

Earlier this year, NRL Head of Football Graham Annesley announced that Slater and Fittler, who coach Queensland and New South Wales respectively, would replace rugby league legends Laurie Daley and Darren Lockyer on the Kangaroos selection panel.Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >But as first revealed by The Sydney Morning Herald, the NSWRL and QRL informed the ARLC this week that Fittler and Slater had withdrawn from the roles.According to The Australian, the pair were uncomfortable about taking on a job that was largely thrust upon them without consultation, worried about the flow-on impact on next year’s State of Origin series.Instead, Daley and Lockyer are set to be reappointed to the selection panel, in which national coach Mal Meninga does not have a formal vote.“From what I’m told, Billy and Freddy believe they’ve got a conflict of interest because if they don’t go in there and stick up for the players they’re coaching and they miss out, the perception might be they’re not loyal to them,” ARLC chairman Peter V’landys told the Nine publication.“I can understand and respect that.”V’landys will serve as the chairman of selectors, having a casting vote on any selection deadlocks.The Kangaroos start their World Cup campaign on October 15, taking on Fiji at Headingley.It will be Australia’s first Test match in nearly 1000 days, their most recent encounter being the historic 16-12 loss to Tonga in November 2019.Australia has been placed in Group B for the World Cup, which was rescheduled due to Covid-19 complications, facing Fiji, Scotland and Italy in the group stage.Earlier this week, Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley declared his eligibility for England for the World Cup, turning his back on Australia.“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to play for England for my old man. Everybody wants to do the right thing by their dad, don’t they?“Dad’s proud of where he’s from, proud of his family, proud of supporting Sheffield Wednesday.“This was a gut feeling that it’s what I want to do – and with the World Cup coming up in England at the end of this year, it was now or never.“If I ended up sitting there watching the World Cup and knowing I could have been playing for England – that wouldn’t have felt good.”Penrith Panthers enforced Isaah Yeo and Wally Lewis Medal winner Pat Carrigan are expected to fight for the Kangaroos No. 13 jersey.The World Cup final is scheduled for Manchester’s Old Trafford on November 19. Via news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site https://www.news.com.au