Matty Johns knocks back NSW Blues coaching job; Wayne Bennett advice

Matty Johns has knocked back talk of him taking over the NSW Blues coaching job, revealing crucial advice he received from the legendary Wayne Bennett.

In the wake of Michael Maguire's decision to quit and move to the Broncos, the hunt is on for his replacement ahead of next year's State of Origin series.

One of the names suggested was Johns, who is regarded as one of the game's greatest minds, but has minimal coaching experience due to media commitments.

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Speaking on the Backstage podcast alongside his son Cooper, the 53-year-old gave a tremendously honest answer about potentially taking over as Blues coach.

Matty Johns has knocked back coaching the Blues. Getty

"There's something that sits inside all of us, that if we don't keep check of it, will send us down a path we shouldn't go on and it's called ego," Johns said.

"When people come out and say to me 'Matthew Johns for NSW coach' I'll be perfectly honest, it feels good because it strokes the ego. In me, there's part of me that thinks I should take it and show them how good I am and win three or four in a row.

"I've picked my path and my career has been in the media and it has been unbelievable.

"The best thing I have done in my life in the last 15 years is to make my life very low stress. I have a lot of fun and it's a low stress life. I put currency on having a life like that, spending time with you people [family] than I do with having to feel special by coaching.

"With my work schedule, I can't do that - but secondly and foremost, I don't want to do that. I don't want to be sitting in a room at my age and just be going through cuts of tape … I have a fun and enjoyable life with low stress."

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Johns has previously expressed interest in coaching the Samoan national team alongside his brother Andrew, but the idea fell through.

And when the pair were previously mentioned for the Origin position, Johns revealed a phone call from Bennett swayed him against pursuing coaching.

Wayne Bennett has experience in the Origin arena. NRL Photos

"The last time this happened and they talked about me doing the job, Wayne Bennett called me and said 'if you are serious about doing this job, go and get yourself a football side straight away'," he said.

"It didn't matter if it was an under 19s side or whatever, you need to get back into coaching to get coach fit and start to make mistakes.

"He said if you go into the cut and thrust of all things State of Origin coaching, if you aren't fit, you could be in trouble."

With the former Knights playmaker ruling himself out, the likes of Michael Ennis and Laurie Daley have emerged as potential front-runners for NSW.

But according to Johns, there's one candidate that needs serious consideration.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart. Getty

"To take the NSW job, in my opinion, you need to be an experienced coach who has got a lot of miles," he said.

"You need to have formulated your style, your plan, your methods and you have to have made mistakes and learnt from them.

"If I'm the Blues, it's a no-brainer, it's Ricky Stuart … if the Raiders allow it to happen. This business about club coaches not being able to coach Origin is bollocks.

"I think the bloke who would step in and do the best job right now is Ricky Stuart. With all the people they are talking about, I'd go Ricky."

Stuart had two previous stints with the Origin side, winning one series in 2005.

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