Incoming NSW women’s State of Origin coach John Strange concedes his relationship with Tarryn Aiken at club level is going to make it difficult when she pulls on a Maroons jersey, with the Roosters boss joking that he hopes she’s injured before next year’s series.
Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer >
Storm coach Craig Bellamy always lamented how tough it was to go up against Melbourne superstars Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis when he was Blues boss and they played for Queensland, and it’s something Strange will have to deal with next year.
IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD BE BUYING INSTEAD. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Aiken is one of the best players in the world and claimed the Karyn Murphy Medal back in October as the best player in the grand final win over the Sharks.
Strange is no stranger to awkward coaching situations, with his daughter, Jasmin Strange, scoring a try in a 20-4 win over the Roosters in 2023 when she was at the Knights.
MORE NRL NEWS
‘BIT ANNOYED’: After Hunt’s release Cook began ‘pestering’ Dragons to sign Ilias
CRAWLEY: Why Hunt salary must spark change; Big-name trio on Bennett’s radar
‘FAKE’: Benji defends Tigers recruit over ‘misinterpreted’ interview before Roosters exit
“It’s probably going to be difficult in a way, if I’m being perfectly honest,” he replied when asked what it’d be like to coach against Aiken.
“I’m really close with Tarryn. We talk a lot and she’s a real footy nerd, so we sit down and do video and pull teams apart, so that’s going to be a challenge.
“I’ve coached against my daughter when she was at the Knights and that was a bit of a challenge, so it is what it is.
“We’ve only got one (Queensland) player in that squad at that moment, and fingers crossed she’s injured.”
Tigers react to ‘best spine in the game’ | 02:13
Strange replaces Kylie Hilder, who stepped down after four years in charge of the Sky Blues, with NSW last winning the shield in 2022.
Former representative forward Ruan Sims will remain an assistant in 2025, with Strange confident he can juggle both the NSW and the Roosters jobs.
That could become an issue as the NRLW evolves, but there will be no overlap in terms of games next year with the final Origin match on May 29 and round 1 not starting until July 3.
“Because the Origin series is all played out before round 1 of NRLW, it’s going to work out really well,” he said.
“There’s a slight overlap of two weeks from Origin III that will jump into the two-week period of pre-season, but we’ve got awesome staff at the Roosters. The coaching staff and performance staff have all been there for quite a few years with me, so I’m totally confident.
“I’ll be doing all the planning with them beforehand, but those couple of weeks that I’m away with Origin, I’m totally confident with them looking after it (the team).
“In a few years with the expansion of NRLW, I think it’ll be different and will go back to what the boys are doing where you can’t be an NRLW coach (and an Origin coach).”
Discussion about this post