Stuart given Sky blue light

Sydney Roosters head coach Ricky Stuart has been handed the reigns as New South Wales coach for next year's State of Origin rugby league series.

Stuart has beaten out current Blues assistant coach Laurie Daley and will replace Phil Gould, who says he'll quit at the end of this year's series.

The former Test half will join the existing camp for the remaining two matches of the 2004 series. He will be joined by retired police inspector John Hayes. Hayes is there to assist in implementing new guidelines to ensure there's no repeat of the mischief that dragged down the Blues' preparations for their first encounter with Queensland.

In further news, an independent submission on last month's all-night bonding chaos was given to the NSWRL today. Blues team manager Chris Johns has somehow managed to remain at his post, despite his offer to resign amid the dramas that ended with the sacking of Mark Gasnier and Anthony Minichello and five others players being fined.