Daley wants to see passion from Kiwi or English Blues
Jasper Bruce |
Laurie Daley will need to see genuine passion for NSW before he hands State of Origin jerseys to players previously only eligible for New Zealand or England.
Daley put his incumbent players on notice on Thursday, warning none were guaranteed selection for the 2026 series after Queensland came from behind to win 2-1 last year.
The Blues coach name-checked Canterbury second-rower Jacob Preston, Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey and Penrith prop Lindsay Smith as uncapped players on his radar for the May 27 series opener.
“Coming off a losing series, all positions are open and vacant,” Wiradjuri man Daley said at the launch of NSW Rugby League’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
“No one goes in with a head start, it’s all about what they do in the lead-up to Origin.”
As he ponders changes, Daley has a wider pool of talent to monitor given changes to eligibility rules over the pre-season.
Players who represent England or New Zealand can now also play Origin provided they were born in Queensland or NSW, lived there before their 13th birthday or their father played Origin.
Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake, Panthers centre Casey McLean and Sydney Roosters forward Victor Radley are among those now in Blues calculations.
“I’m a supporter of the new eligibility rules,” Daley said.
“(But) obviously they’ve got to be wanting to play for NSW and have that passion to pull on the shirt.
“You just don’t want people to play because they can. They’ve got to feel that connection to the jersey and the state.”
McLean, 19, is only two games into his second full season of first grade but has impressed Daley with his work down Penrith’s left edge.
The Maroons memorably handed another young centre in Robert Toia his Origin debut after only 10 NRL games last year, with the Rooster holding his spot for the whole series.
Daley said a “wonderful player” like McLean would be in the mix for a similar whirlwind debut if he maintained his form.
“Everything he does suggests that he could fit in at this level,” Daley said.
“If he’s playing well, we’ll certainly have a look at him.”
Fonua-Blake is another player on Daley’s radar, though prop is among the most competitive spots on the team sheet.
Brisbane wrecking ball Payne Haas looks the safest bet for selection, while Mitch Barnett, Max King, Keaon Koloamatangi, Stefano Utoikamanu and Spencer Leniu are others with Origin experience.
“Addin is someone that we’ll definitely look at,” Daley said.
“We’ve got good depth in that position. It’ll come down to their performances.”
AAP