NSW will consider handing an NRLW coach the women's State of Origin job, as the search begins to replace Kylie Hilder.
The NSW Rugby League board will meet for the first time on Thursday since Hilder's exit, after she opted not to reapply for her job.
Hilder's decision has left NSW without a coach of both the men's and women's Origin teams, after Michael Maguire's move to the Brisbane Broncos in late September.
NSW Rugby League CEO David Trodden predicted on Tuesday a new men's coach would be appointed in the next three weeks, with more than 12 candidates sounded out.
That process must now also begin for the women.
Trodden said he had heard from up to six interested parties within hours of Hilder's exit on Monday, and work would now begin on replacing her.
Last season's assistant Ruan Sims, Indigenous All Stars coach Jess Skinner and U19s mentor Kate Mullaly could all loom as options.
The NSW Rugby League are also open to the idea of an NRLW coach taking on the role, given the representative series does not overlap with the season.
That could potentially open the door for Brett Kimmorley to take on the role, while also staying in charge of Wests Tigers.
Sharks coach Tony Herman and Parramatta counterpart Steve Georgallis could be among other options.
Sydney Roosters assistant Melissa Sperro is another potential option, while Jamie Soward has publicly expressed an interest.
NSW have not had an NRL coach take charge of a state team since Craig Bellamy in 2010, while the women's job has never been filled by an NRLW boss.
"With NRL jobs, the position is slightly different with the women's coaching job," Trodden said on SEN.
"Because the NRLW season runs outside of the State of Origin season, so that introduces a whole new dynamic in terms of potential candidates for that role.
"It's another variable you have to take into account."
Hilder will remain employed in pathways at the NSWRL, but opted to step aside on Monday after the Sky Blues lifted the shield once during her four-year tenure.
Trodden said Hilder's replacement would not necessarily be a woman, a point captain Kezie Apps also believes.
"It doesn't matter if it's a male or female, we just want the best person for the position and that they can do for the players," Apps told AAP.
"Hopefully Kylie feels content with her decision and I just think it's been a big four years for her and the team."
Meanwhile Trodden said the next men's coach would retain the same support and assistant-coaching staff as Maguire had in this year's series win.
In turn, Trodden believed that eased the rush to find a replacement.
"One of the key things for the board is to identify a coach who can fit into that structure, causing as little disturbance as possible," he said.
"The board has an established list of preferred qualities, half-a-dozen qualities they would like to see in the new coach.
"We assess all the candidates against that preferred list. That process will end up spitting out one or two more names that score higher than the others."
