‘I just want the best coach for the position’: Kezie Apps says gender shouldn’t be a factor when picking next NSW coach

NSW veteran Kezie Apps doesn’t care if the next coach of the Sky Blues is a man or a woman, with the edge forward calling on the board to hire someone who is “passionate” and can “bring the best” out of the players after Kylie Hilder’s decision to stand down.

Hilder was in charge for four State of Origin campaigns but announced on Monday that it was time for a change following back-to-back defeats, including a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in this year’s historic three-match series.

She’ll remain in her role as NSWRL female pathways manager, with expressions of interest now open for her replacement.

“It was a massive decision that she made for the team and herself,” Apps said.

“It’s disappointing as a player and a friend of hers, but she’s obviously got her reasons behind that and I’ll support her 100 per cent.

“Hopefully she feels at ease that she’s made that decision and I’m looking forward to seeing what NSW decides to do moving forward with the coach.”

Current NRLW coaches John Strange and Brett Kimmorley have been mentioned, as has former Dragons boss Jamie Soward and representative legend Ruan Sims who was part of Hilder’s coaching staff.

Hilder and Queensland counterpart Tahnee Norris have gone head-to-head for the past few years, but there are no guarantees NSW will hire another woman for the 2025 series.

Ben Cross and Andrew Patmore have coached the state in the past, with Apps not fussed about the gender of whoever comes in.

“I just want the best coach for the position. It doesn’t matter if they’re male or female,” she said.

“We just want someone who’s passionate and can bring the best out of us, especially in a short campaign.

“We just want whoever is best suited for the job.”

That’s a good sign for Kimmorley who played 10 games for NSW but has moved into coaching where he now leads the Wests Tigers NRLW side.

Apps has worked closely with him at club level and would love to see him get the job as long as it doesn’t interfere with his NRLW commitments.

“I’m not sure how the logistics of it work,” she said, hoping for a huge crowd at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium for game two on May 15.

“He’d be great for the role, but then I wouldn’t want him to leave the Tigers. If he could do both then that’d be pretty cool.”