League: Stuart steps down as NSW Origin coach

Ricky Stuart has stepped down from his role as NSW's Origin coach. Source / Getty Images

Ricky Stuart has stepped away from his job as coach of the NSW Origin rugby league team.

Stuart was appointed to coach NRL club Parramatta from next year and current NSW policy is not to employ a coach with club ties.

Parramatta had given Stuart permission to finish his Origin deal if NSW officials agreed.

"The deliberation about can I or can't I, the speculation that 'he shouldn't be allowed to do both the NSW job and the Parramatta job', has made me do a lot of thinking," Stuart writes in his Sunday column for News Limited.

"All this swimming through my head is part of the reason why I am stepping down.

"As of right now, I am no longer the NSW coach. Yes, it is one of the toughest decisions of my coaching career."

Stuart coached the Blues for the past two years, narrowly losing this year's series to Queensland in the decider, 21-20.

The NSWRL board must begin the search for Stuart's replacement with Laurie Daley, Trent Barrett, Brad Fittler and Phil Gould all considered options.

- AAP