Laurie Daley column: Baby Blues must learn from the past to erase bitter Origin memories

WE have to seal the deal in Sydney. I know that better than anyone. NSW was outstanding on Wednesday night and now stand on the cusp of State of Origin history, writes Laurie Daley.

Lauroe Daley looks at where to next for the Blues.

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WE have to seal the deal in Sydney. I know that better than anyone.

NSW was outstanding on Wednesday night and now stand on the cusp of State of Origin history.

But it was just 12 short months ago when we were in exactly the same position when I was coaching NSW.

We led one-nil and went to Sydney to win the series in front of our home fans.

But history recalls Queensland scored late, converted, won and then claimed another series victory in the decider at Brisbane.

Laurie Daley says the rookie Blues can learn from past mistakes. Picture: Brett Costello

It was heart-breaking. We let it slip through our fingers. NSW now find themselves in the identical situation.

They can’t let this chance fall away like we did last year. Opportunities to win Origin series don’t come around all that often.

Now is their time to step up and claim the title. There is a different feel to this team with so many rookies in there.

Queensland has lost their superstars now and they will struggle. Any side would. NSW was just dominant at the MCG.

Daley says NSW have a golden opportunity to finish the Maroons in Sydney.

I thought they played very flat and relied on a lot of go-forward.

They also looked to Damien Cook picking up the ball, going, and then turning the ball back inside with James Tedesco pushing up in support.

I thought our halves – Nathan Cleary and James Maloney – played flat too. It worked.

Once NSW established good go-forward, the Blues collapsed the Queensland defence around the middle. The Maroons then had to compress.

That gave NSW a lot of space on the edges.

I thought our footwork and speed was outstanding on kick-returns and that worried Queensland.

In fact, our back five were heavily involved all match.

Cleary was really steady in guiding NSW around the park. He showed his usual calmness and composure – remarkable traits for a kid on debut in front of 87,000 fans at the MCG.

Tyson Frizell was also great, he really worried them with his foot work on the right edge.

David Klemmer and Reagan Campbell-Gillard gave us plenty of go-forward. They were very aggressive. Jack de Belin and Jake Trbojevic were outstanding.

We didn’t have a bad player.

Queensland has their troubles. I said in this column last week that I feared the Maroons would lack size and go-forward. That’s how it unfolded.

They didn’t have those leaders either – guys like Cronk, Thurston and Smith – that they needed.

Daley says he’d shift Ben Hunt to hooker for Andrew McCullough.

I thought Queensland struggled in attack and lacked fluency.

Greg Inglis was by far-and-away their best player – it was a real captain’s knock.

He tried to inspire his team, he tried to lead them but he just didn’t have enough people following him. Queensland has to make changes.

They need to bring Matt Scott back and, of course, Billy Slater will return if fit.

I would look to move Ben Hunt to hooker with Michael Morgan into the halves and Kalyn Ponga onto the bench.

I think they also need to bring in another back-rower instead of Gavin Cooper.

Queensland is ready to be beaten.

Sydney beckons and NSW must take their chance. The bitter memories of last year should drive the Blues to victory.

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Originally published as Laurie Daley column: Baby Blues must learn from the past to erase bitter Origin memories