Laurie Daley dumbfounded but not dismayed by record Origin III defeat

LAURIE Daley is still dumbfounded by the Blues record defeat in Game III but is adamant the nightmare won’t leak into his plans for 2016.

NSW's Paul Gallen and team mates shattered after the series loss in Origin Game 3 between New South Wales and Queensland at Suncorp Stadium .Picture Gregg Porteous

LAURIE Daley is still “dumbfounded” at NSW’s Origin III capitulation this year. He won’t be panicking, though.

The Blues were whacked 52-6 in the decider, a dark day for a NSW side defending the trophy it so won famously in 2014.

But NSW coach Daley is adamant his side and organisation are heading in the right direction, despite Queensland’s dominance.

“Most people agree we got the selections right this year,” Daley told The Daily Telegraph.

“There was nothing wrong with what we did. Games one and two were very competitive, game three it was just one of those games. We were all dumbfounded about what happened.

“But we know we are a better team than we showed that night, so there is no need to panic. We are on the right track.

“We will stay positive and come out next year and build on what we have started.”

NSW had every chance to win Origin I in Sydney, losing 11-10 through a Cooper Cronk field goal.

The Blues whacked Queensland in Melbourne before being humbled in game three at a thunderous Suncorp Stadium.

Daley is known as a loyal coach and the bulk of this year’s side will probably be back for game one next season.

But form won’t be ignored by Daley, who is always searching for new, young talent.

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Asked if he is a loyal coach, Daley said: “I am, but things can change between now and next year. It’s way too early to speculate on teams and selections.

“That was the best team we had last series. Unfortunately, because of the scoreline, it all centred on game three.

“If you look at it from an overall series perspective, game one, we were very good, could have won, game two, we did win and game three, for whatever reason, we just didn’t play as well we could have.

The Blues will have the advantage of two home matches next season.

“Rightfully, the focus was squarely on that game but as a coach I look at it overall. I was very disappointed with game three. We didn’t see it coming. We have to deal with it, accept it, but we also move on knowing we have a lot of good people to work with.”

With an inferior side, Daley has won four of his nine games in charge. He has won one of three series, the two losing series both going to deciders.

And Daley knows Queensland will once again send out a star-studded side.

“I am very confident we are on the right path and am very confident we have the right people involved,” he said. “It’s just a matter of us continuing to work hard and continuing to get better at all aspects of our game and preparing the very best we can. That
is ongoing.

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“We are coming up against a champion team. When you do that, everything has to go right. You can’t afford to be off your game. We were off our game in game three and we got punished. It was a good lesson for us.”

NSW play two games at ANZ Stadium yet will start the series as underdogs.

“It’s a massive boost for us but, again, we have to make sure it happens, not hope it happens,” Daley said. “We want everyone to get out there to ANZ Stadium and support us. I know they will be disappointed about game three but we need our fans on our side. We need them to stick tight when things go wrong and this is a great opportunity for our fans to get behind the team.”

THE FIVE KEYS TO A NEW SOUTH WALES VICTORY

1. The halves

Will Laurie Daley stick with Mitch Pearce and Trent Hodkinson? Will he opt for rookie Jack Bird? What about Adam Reynolds? Josh Reynolds? A key strategic decision.

2. The hooking role

Can Daley genuinely pick Robbie Farah from reserve grade? Daley has been rock-solid behind Farah but could he really select a player who has been running around in the NSW Cup?

3. Win the first game

NSW have two games in Sydney next season. The Blues simply have to win game one to secure the series. NSW lost the opening game this year (11-10) in Sydney and ultimately lost the series.

4. Rev up the crowd

NSW players and coaches need to whip up Blatchy’s Blues into a frenzy. The Blues need 83,000 screaming fans at ANZ Stadium. As Daley says: “A packed house can be the difference between winning and losing.”

5. Stopping Thurston

He was in sublime form this year and will be back to haunt NSW once again. When he is going to retire?

Originally published as Laurie Daley dumbfounded but not dismayed by record Origin III defeat