State of Origin 2016: NSW coach Laurie Daley on Blues critics, veterans and rookies

IN this exclusive interview, NSW coach Laurie Daley reviews State of Origin II, talks about the reaction, fallout, Phil Gould and the future of NSW.

LAURIE Daley isn’t on social media. Probably a good thing.

The Blues coach has copped a bashing in the past week on Twitter and Facebook. The haters have been out in numbers — and full of vitriol. Daley often hears what is said, second-hand.

“But you’ve just got to block out the noise,” he said.

Despite Queensland clinching a 2-0 series victory this year, Daley predicted: “It will eventually turn.”

In this exclusive interview, Daley reviews game two, talks about the reaction, fallout, Phil Gould and the future of NSW.

NSW coach Laurie Daley has been through the wringer in the past few weeks.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Daley isn’t on social media but he hears the taunts and abuse.

“You have to ignore it — you’ve got to block out the noise,” he said. “I don’t read it but people obviously tell you about it.

“You can’t escape it but I tell people, at the end of the day, as a coach, you’re there to make decisions. It’s always easier doing that when your head isn’t on the chopping block. If people have already made up their minds, I can’t change that.

“I know what we are doing is right. Yes, it is frustrating for everyone but we can’t change direction halfway through what we are doing. We have set ourselves a target of where we want to be and this is the path I know will lead us there.”

Despite criticism from the likes of Phil Gould and Tom Raudonikis, Daley refused to be drawn into discussing whether NSW had an ‘eat their own’ mentality.

“I’d rather not get into that sort of argument,” Daley said.

CRITICS

Everywhere Daley goes, someone has an opinion. The Daily Telegraph has been to hear many of them. Some comments are considered, others just rude.

“Obviously no one likes criticism but you have to accept it. It’s part of our role and job,” he said.

“We are on the right path, there’s not much between the two at the moment. Unfortunately, you are judged on your results and, unfortunately, we just weren’t good enough in critical moments to be get the job done.

“The players are the ones I feel sorry for, as well as the supporters. They put in, they train hard, they train smartly and they are aware of what is at stake. I listen to the people I respect.

“Everyone is entitled to be passionate. I can’t change people’s feelings. That’s just the way that they are. The fans are disappointed and they are entitled to be. But the players ands coaches and hurting as well.

“We are all hurting. All we can do is do our best. We have been doing our best, effort-wise. We have to stick at it — it will eventually turn. This is the way we think it will get done — by persevering and continuing to improve.”

Senior Blues have come under increasing criticism after repeated Origin defeats.

GUS

Without naming names, but in a clear veiled reference to senior players Paul Gallen and Robbie Farah, Gould launched into a post-Origin II tirade, hitting out at “selfishness” within the NSW leadership group and that “until that element is removed from it, NSW can’t get over the line against (Queensland)”.

“Gus is one of the leading analysts in rugby league — he is a friend of mine,” Daley said. “And he is bloke whose opinion I really value. He is someone though whom I don’t always agree with.

“He is entitled to his views. The senior guys that I have worked with over the last couple of years, they have really come on. At times in their past, where they have been criticised for being selfish, I see that now being out of their game. I know they always look to put the team first.

“Gus has his views and that’s fine. But I can only judge them on what they are like with me and, when they are with me, they are first-class. They have been great warriors for NSW.”

Daley looks set to meet public opinion with the likes of Bryce Cartwright.

ROOKIES

Critics want rookies. Daley though has already blooded six debutants in two games this year — and could elevate a couple more in game three.

“We have blooded and we will blood a few more,” Daley said. “It’s been an evolving process for us. If you look at game three last year, we made 10 changes for game one this year. Six new guys. We have slowly started to turnover players from when we won in 2014.

“We just didn’t want to cut ties with everyone straight away.”

Pressed on changes for game three, Daley said: “We have looked at the video — we will determine whether there will be changes after the weekend. You don’t know whether injuries or suspensions may come so you just have to wait and see. There are guys on the fringes there that we may look to give an opportunity to.

“It’s no consolation that we are trying hard but not winning because everyone wants to win. There is no such thing as a dead rubber in my mind. We will be going out to win and use it as a stepping stone for next season.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2016: NSW coach Laurie Daley on Blues critics, veterans and rookies