'Needs to be here': Cook tells NSWRL to sign Fittler

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Damien Cook has jumped to support Blues manager Brad Fittler, saying the NSW manager is not to blasted for the side's mediocre show successful the archetypal 2 games of the Origin series.

Amid criticism implicit Blues selection and tactics passim the 2023 series, Fittler's aboriginal astatine the helm of the Blues is yet to beryllium decided, arsenic his broadside prepares to play successful beforehand of a location assemblage successful crippled three.

After winning his archetypal 2 State of Origin bid arsenic coach, Fittler has since gone 1-3 and missed the accidental to trigger a declaration hold with a bid triumph this year.

With that clause nary longer enforceable, Fittler is efficaciously disconnected declaration aft adjacent Wednesday's game, giving the NSWRL immoderate hard reasoning to bash astir the champion manager to instrumentality NSW guardant into 2024 and beyond.

Blues manager Brad Fittler and Damien Cook stock a laughter during a NSW media accidental successful 2019. (Getty)

The 51-year-old refused to talk connected his aboriginal arsenic the manager of the Blues pursuing the 32-6 decision to the Maroons successful Origin II, but helium has since declared that helium feels helium is the champion antheral for the job.

That's a presumption Damien Cook shares, with the seasoned hooker saying the players should beryllium facing the scrutiny, alternatively than Fittler.

Speaking successful Blues campy connected Wednesday morning, Cook said the players took work for the results successful the archetypal 2 games of the series, adding that the performances successful those games were not a reflection of mediocre coaching.

He said the squad had simply been incapable to execute a "simple crippled plan."

Watch the 2023 State of Origin bid LIVE and exclusive connected Channel 9 and 9Now.

"When you're successful these arenas with each these prime players, we're the ones going retired there, we're the ones making plays, making tackles," Cook said.

"For america it has been what we person done connected the field, it hasn't been thing to bash with the coaching staff.

"We had a precise elemental crippled plan… we knew what it was and we couldn't execute it.

"(When) you person got each the prime players successful here, it's up to america to benignant of nail that. We should beryllium overmuch better, particularly astatine this level. That's the large program for crippled three."

Cook told reporters helium is assured successful Fittler's crippled program and is affirmative the three-time series-winning manager volition beryllium retained by the Blues for 2024.

Freddy tosses retired loyalty for Origin III

"I deliberation helium volition beryllium present adjacent twelvemonth and needs to beryllium (here)", Cook said.

"(Fittler) is truly bully astatine keeping the camps relaxed, keeping the camps connected… which is important, particularly erstwhile you person got caller radical coming in.

"The mode helium builds it up done the week erstwhile you're acceptable to go, you're acceptable to spell and tally retired determination and play for him and the state.

"I haven't been progressive with a amended manager that knows however to physique you up for a crippled and get you ready."

The last crippled of the bid volition beryllium played astatine Accor Stadium connected Wednesday, July 12.

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