Daley back with hope it’s not same old blues for NSW
Scott Bailey |
On Laurie Daley’s first day back in NSW camp, the returning Blues coach was asked if he was happy not to see a Smith, Slater, Thurston or Cronk on Queensland’s team list.
“Yeah, but there are others who worry me (now),” Daley retorted.
“There’s a (Cameron) Munster, a DCE (Daly Cherry-Evans) and a (Kalyn) Ponga in the side.
“And that’s a fair start.”
Daley’s return to the NSW job ahead of Wednesday night’s State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium brings with it a throwback to the Blues’ toughest days.
Daley was the coach at the centre of one of NSW’s most iconic Origin moments, when they finally won back the Shield in 2014.
His on-field embrace with Paul Gallen, as fireworks went off over the Harbour Bridge, summed up the relief of a state that had waited eight years for victory.
But for all the joy of that June 18 night in 2014, Daley was still there for four other series defeats before his sacking in 2017 when NSW lost the unlosable series.
Daley’s supporters will point out he came up against one of the greatest Queensland teams of all time and made NSW competitive against them.
His critics argue he was too loyal, and his selections hurt the Blues at a time when the Maroons’ dynasty was slipping and appearing vulnerable.
The coach, for his part, believes he has changed as a coach, having matured and learnt in his seven series away.
There is also no question the 55-year-old steps back into a different environment with NSW.
Queensland are still a side stacked with a dynamite spine. Ponga, Munster, Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant are among the NRL’s best players.
Bigger questions surround the Maroons’ forward pack and outside backs, with all eyes on centre Robert Toia as one of three debutants in Queensland’s team.
But regardless of who is in the Maroons’ side, this is a NSW team who now believe they can win, and are expected to with Nathan Cleary running the team.
Where once it was a shock if NSW upset Queensland, the Blues won last year’s decider at Suncorp Stadium and have the better team on paper for this year.
“I don’t think like that,” Daley said.
“I always just think about having the players in the right headspace, providing the right opportunities in our environment for them to play well.
“I don’t care whether we are favourites or underdogs or whatever.”
Daley’s former players also insist that is what the Blues great does best.
“Passion is his No.1 thing,” Gallen said of Daley.
“When you hear him talk you hear how passionate he is about the jersey and about the Blues. It makes you want to play for him.”
So obvious is Daley’s passion, the exhausted Canberra great famously came down with shingles after his first series in charge in 2013.
“All coaches are tactically great these days,” Gallen continued.
“But to be able make your players want to put their body on the line for you, that’s what sets the good coaches apart.
“That’s what Laurie Daley did for me. Most my coaches did, but Laurie especially.”
Tactically Daley has also evolved his staff with Craig Bellamy brought back into the Blues fold.
Strong ties remain with Michael Maguire’s winning formula from last year, with camp still in the Blue Mountains and the Brisbane coach called in on Monday, but all under a more relaxed Daley approach.
“He doesn’t try and get his points across aggressively, he just remains calm,” NSW’s hero from 2014, Trent Hodkinson, said.
“That’s what you need in that arena.
“I’m really happy that he does get another opportunity, not against that Queensland side that will go down in history as one of the greatest ever, if not the greatest.
“But in saying that, mate, they’re still going to be tough as Queensland always are this time of year, no matter who they put on the field.”
AAP
