The Laurie Daley masterstroke that evaded him in first Blues incarnation

Not only did Laurie Daley school rival Billy Slater in his return to the State of Origin arena, the Blues legend silenced the armchair critics by learning his lesson at the selection table, writes DAVID RICCIO.

The last time Laurie Daley had the job title of NSW coach, Phil Gould said the Blues mentor was not a “professional”.

“He has been there five years, he’s had four series losses,’’ Gould said after Origin three in 2017, the last match for Daley as NSW coach.

“Coaching is not his profession. We haven’t had a professional coach there for a number of years.’’

This gripping Origin series isn’t over by any stretch but Daley has proven after one game back into the coaches’ box that he deserves more respect in his second coming in the job.

Daley took his new team of Blues into the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium, where Queensland had won six of the previous nine Origin I clashes and walked out with one hand on the shield.

Since the introduction of a three-game series in 1982, the team that has won Origin I has gone on to win the series on 31 occasions from 43 series.

Daley is also a man of his word and the victory silenced those who had questioned his selections.

More than a month before the Blues side was chosen, Daley said the greatest factor in his selections would be picking players in form.

Ignoring the fact that SuperCoach fanatics would lose their minds over Wests Tigers prop Terrell May being overlooked, as well as choosing Mitchell Moses over Jarome Luai, Daley was justified in choosing a team of players in form.

Maroons coach Billy Slater lost the match to NSW at the selection table, doing the opposite to Daley.

Daley picked players with proven Origin experience like Nathan Cleary, Zac Lomax, Brian To’o, Reece Robson and Angus Crichton. He also picked players with confidence in their kit bag.

Slater banked on the mystique of the Maroons camp to pull two of his most influential players, Kalyn Ponga and Daly Cherry-Evans, out of their form funk in club land.

Hooker Harry Grant had played 60 minutes in a month and prop Lindsay Collins came into camp after one game in six weeks.

The other major advantage the Blues had over the Maroons was in the backline.

Dylan Edwards, pushed to secure the fullback spot by champion Roosters fullback James Tedesco, was incredible on kick returns and his try sealed the match.

Many critics thought Terrell May was unlucky to be left out of the squad. Picture: NRL Images

Lomax should never play in the centres again. He is the world’s best winger.

Stephen Crichton was a colossus, in attack and defence, corked quad and all.

Latrell Mitchell produced several huge defensive plays, on top of a slice of brilliance with his catch and pass for To’o’s try in the 29th minute to make it 10-0.

Despite a second-half surge from the Queensland side to be trailing 14-6 after 46 minutes, the Blues appeared always in control.

The scoreline flattered the Maroons – the Blues kicked just one from five attempts.

Daley will take his Blues side to Perth on June 18 aiming to win his first Origin series since 2014.

Originally published as The Laurie Daley masterstroke that evaded him in first Blues incarnation