Brad Fittler reveals the 'agonising' reason why he opted out of succeeding Mal Meninga as the Kangaroos new coach

Daily Mail​

21 hours ago

Brad Fittler has admitted he 'agonised' over the decision to pull out of the race to become the next Kangaroos coach.
The former New South Wales boss revealed on Monday that he instead wanted to focus on his television commitments, despite being the front-runner to replace Mal Meninga.
It comes as Meninga is due to take charge of the new Perth Bears NRL franchise when they enter the league in 2027.
However, Fittler has since told the ARL Commission he was no longer eyeing up a role with the Australian men's Test side, explaining that he 'didn't think I could do it justice.'
Speaking to 2GB on Monday, the 53-year-old said: 'There was an opportunity there, I'm very grateful for them thinking about me, but I think just in the situation I'm in at the moment, my commitments to Channel 9, I work for the NRL, I'm really enjoying that.'
Fittler joined Channel 9 back in 2010 and has twinned commitments to co-hosting The Footy Show with live commentary.
The former New South Wales boss revealed he 'didn't think he could do the role justice' instead revealing he wanted to prioritise his media commitments
'When the role came about and I just started to think about it and start planning that this is maybe for someone else at the moment,' the former Roosters five-eighth explained.
'It was an incredible opportunity, but I also didn't think I could do it justice. That's why I didn't want to commit to it.'
The former representative star, who captained the Kangaroos in 25 Tests, also gave his verdict on the attributes the right candidate for the role should have.
'But what an incredible opportunity for someone. I think it's someone with a bit of time,' he told the radio station.
'They need to get hotels, grounds, training fields, equipment, everything - it's a big job ahead, but what an awesome experience it is going to be, three Tests over in England.'
The two-time premiership winner oversaw 18 games as the coach of the New South Wales between 2018 and 2023, but also lifted the lid on how he was left sometimes feeling 'uncomfortable' when completing his media duties, while also taking charge of the Blues.
However, Fittler did not rule out a return to coaching.
'I won't say I won't ever do it again in the future,' he said.
'I always found even when I was commentating while I coached the Origin team, it makes it a bit uncomfortable when you're talking about players and then you have to pick players," he said.
'I just thought that got a bit muddy at stages and wore on my conscience at times.'
The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender.
Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023.
Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Bears' first coach.
Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season.
Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears.
Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming.
A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year.
His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4.