NSW coach Laurie Daley has dropped his biggest hint yet at a possible exit from State of Origin, saying his job would be complete when a foundation is laid for future success.
Now in his fifth year in charge since taking over in 2013, Daley has been cagey all series on whether he would seek a sixth attempt at the Maroons.
Speaking after Tuesday's captain's run on the Gold Coast, Daley was again reluctant to discuss his future but suggested a plan was in place for his eventual departure.
His comments come less than a day after skipper Boyd Cordner called on Daley to remain at the helm no matter the result in game three.
"That's great to hear it from someone like Boyd, but it's not a concern or my issue," Daley said.
"I just want to know that this team has been set up in the right way that we can have success going forward. When you do that, you know you've done your job."
Daley's legacy is likely to hinge on the outcome of Wednesday night, when the former Blues champion could become just the second NSW coach to claim more than one Origin series win.
But another loss will give him the ignominious record of being the only Blues coach to suffer four series defeats against the Maroons.
No other coach has lasted beyond a third series loss.
NSW under-16s and 18s coach Brad Fittler and current assistant John Cartwright have been mentioned as possible candidates to take over should the job be vacated.
However the most successful Blues coach in Origin history, Phil Gould, questioned whether Daley would be able to handle the emotional toll of another series loss.
"I don't know that he likes the physical and emotional drain it leaves on him after a lost series," Gould said on his 'Six Tackles with Gus' podcast.
"If they were to lose this series, it would be devastating for him."
"I don't know that we have any better options than Laurie Daley to coach this side. I don't think anyone's going to know Origin better than Laurie."
A LOOK AT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL NSW ORIGIN COACHES AHEAD OF WHAT COULD BE LAURIE DALEY'S LAST GAME IN CHARGE
* Ron Willey (1986-87) - Five wins, two losses at 71 per cent
* Terry Fearnley (1985) - Two wins, one loss at 67 per cent
* Phil Gould (1992-96, 2002-04) - Fourteen wins, nine losses, one draw at 58 per cent
* Wayne Pearce (1999-2001) - Five wins, three losses, one draw at 56 per cent
* Tom Raudonikis (1997-98) - Three wins, three losses at 50 per cent
* Ricky Stuart (2005, 2011-12) - Four wins, five losses at 44 per cent
* Laurie Daley (2013-present) - Six wins, eight losses at 43 per cent
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