NSW coach Laurie Daley reveals the tight bonds of mateship running through the Blues team

I have really pushed the friendship line for the Blues team this year. When you go into a battle like State of Origin you want to like and trust the bloke standing next to you.

Andrew Fifita and Matt Moylan share a laugh before the captain’s run.

SOME of my best mates live in Junee, the Riverina railway town where I was born and raised.

I constantly keep in touch with friends like Scott ‘Scooter’ Duncan and Craig ‘Braddo’ Bradley. Once a mate, always a mate. They live 450 kilometres away but I try and get down to see them, and all my other Junee friends, as often as I can every year.

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As a kid, myself, Scooter and Braddo would play footy in the vacant lot next to my home every day after school. That would be 40 years ago now. Those memories mean the world to me. Scooter works in the Junee abattoir, Braddo runs a car wash. They are true bush folk. They will always be my mates.

NSW coach Laurie Daley at the NSW Blues captain’s run ahead of tonight’s Origin Game I at ANZ Stadium .Picture Gregg Porteous

And it is this same mateship — that same bond — I have tried to instil in the NSW State of Origin side. I would love to think that these current players could get together — as we do in Junee — in 40 years time and talk about the old times.

All week, I have really pushed the friendship line. In Coffs Harbour, where we set up camp between Tuesday and Sunday, I told the boys to hang out together.

I didn’t want to see any player walking around alone in their free time. When you go into a battle like State of Origin you want to like and trust the bloke standing next to you.

In defence, when your backside is dragging, you want to know that the bloke to your left and right is there for you and that he has your back. There is nothing worse than feeling lonely on a footy field.

Andrew Fifita and Matt Moylan share a laugh at the ANZ Stadium. Picture Gregg Porteous

Daley has made friendship a key part of the Blues’ culture. Picture Gregg Porteous

Camaraderie is a massive part of rugby league.

Friendship is so very Australian. Having a mate there for you. And NSW players are all mates. You could tell from day one that they were a special bunch.

We went about our work tenaciously in Coffs and our preparation has been meticulous. Mind you, we thought we prepared magnificently for game three last year and look what happened. We were embarrassed.

But, generally, you get a good read on your side and this team is ready. They know they will play under pressure. Origin brings excruciating pressure from fans, mainstream media and, of course, social media. Everyone has an opinion.

There were some question marks over the side we chose but it seems like NSW fans — whether they agreed with the team or not — quickly started supporting the Blues.

The NSW Blues Origin team at camp in Coffs Harbour .Picture Gregg Porteous

There were some selections that caused debate. But I have always said that if you put ten people in one room and ask them to pick their Origin team, you would get ten different sides. Rarely does every agree on one position, let alone an entire team.

But this side has done everything I have asked of them over the past ten days. We had our captain’s run yesterday and the boys looked good. There was a real focus in their eyes. Sure, we lost Josh Dugan during the week with an injury, that was a setback.

But we were very lucky to have someone like Josh Morris ready to come straight back in. Josh has always done a stellar job handling Queensland’s Greg Inglis and I have no reason to think that won’t happen once again.

Our forwards are big and our halves look sharp.

If it rains, as has been predicted, then our kicking game will be vital. We have four strong options — Adam Reynolds, James Maloney, Matt Moylan and Robbie Farah. Each can share the general kicking responsibilities.

I wish I could tell all our NSW fans that we will win. But I can’t make that promise.

We know of the massive challenge ahead but we know you will either be there with us, either at ANZ Stadium or watching on TV.

Our players will win together and lose together.

No matter what happens, I can guarantee this group of players will be friends for life.

Just like I am with Scooter and Braddo back in Junee.

Originally published as NSW coach Laurie Daley reveals the tight bonds of mateship running through the Blues team