You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Rabbitohs back-rower Cameron Murray passes against the Dragons at the NRL Nines in Perth.

NSW coach Brad Fittler is intrigued to see how South Sydney fare with Cameron Murray moving to the second row but believes the rising Blue can handle the switch.

Murray, the reigning Dally M Lock of the Year, played in the middle in his debut Origin series last season as the Blues retained the shield.

While Fittler will watch Murray's progress on the Rabbitohs' left edge before deciding where to play him in 2020, he already has a sound idea of what the 22-year-old can produce out wider.

"I coached him in the under 18s, he was the captain for NSW, and we played him on the left edge, so I've seen what he can do," Fittler told NRL.com at the NSWRL season launch on Tuesday.

"He just killed them. He was in space the whole night, set up tries... you can play him anywhere."

NSW are spoiled for choice in the second row with captain Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Wade Graham and Tariq Sims among a host of options.

Origin coaches excited for Adelaide

For Fittler, the curious part of Murray's positional change isn't whether the Kangaroos representative can adapt but how South Sydney manage without him in the middle.

"It'll be interesting how they work it and how they get him involved, because they need him involved," Fittler said.

"He's got such a fast play-the-ball, they need him getting tackled. It's a funny thing: for them to go good, they need him to get tackled."

Having enjoyed some family time over the summer, Fittler said he was glad to be back into routine with the season around the corner.

Weekly meetings are already being held regarding an Origin three-peat ahead of the opening match at Adelaide Oval on June 3.

"It's great. It helps with my other jobs as well, because we sit and discuss the different players and just have a chat," Fittler said.

Match Highlights: Blues v Maroons

"Basically, it's some footy fans and people that have really educated opinions about footy who just talk. It's good, it stimulates what I do on the weekend with Channel Nine and it also sometimes triggers interesting conversations about State of Origin.

"I think there's healthy competition. We've got good depth, a lot of the NSW players seem to be in a really good headspace."

Fittler was relaxed as ever during the season launch at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence, conducting humourous interviews with some junior players and NRLW star Maddie Studdon.

Blues coach Brad Fittler at the NSWRL launch.
Blues coach Brad Fittler at the NSWRL launch. ©Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos

Asked for the key to staying chilled, Fittler said: "If there's a secret to life, you've got to hang around kids - they have the energy, they're not thinking."

He continued: "I've got a couple of young kids myself and I love passing the footy with them. It's the secret I reckon ... Go out and see if you can keep up! Normally it hurts the next day."

Fittler's measured approach to coaching has reaped huge rewards for the Blues and it's no accident that he keeps a lid on his emotions.

"There used to be a couple [of angry moments] when I was coaching before, but the great coach Chris Anderson told me that you only really get to yell once," Fittler said.

"Once it becomes familiar, it becomes less effective. So I try to save my blow-ups."

Acknowledgement of Country

New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Platinum Partner

Major Partners

View All Partners