Cricket World Cup: NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley drops in to offer support to Aussies

THE Victorian, Tasmanian and West Australian contingent in the Aussie set-up wouldn’t have recognised Laurie Daley, but the league types were like bees around honey.

Darren Lehmann with NSW State of Origin coach Laurie Daley during training at the SCG ahead of the Semi Final against India. pic. Phil Hillyard

IT’S unclear whether David Warner was pushing the case of his Roosters or partner Candice Falzon’s beloved Rabbitohs, but the World Cup star on Tuesday had the ear of NSW coach Laurie Daley on all matters Origin.

Then Daley moved on to a meeting of the minds with fellow coaching guru Darren Lehmann.

But for the most part, Daley was simply there alongside freshly-named NSW rugby league administrator and former World Cup quick Stuart Clark to observe Australia go about their business ahead of Thursday’s semi-final blockbuster against India.

Darren Lehmann and Laurie Daley share some coaching tips.

The Blues mentor never fulfilled his own rugby league World Cup dream.

A knee injury in 1992 and Super League defection in 1995 put paid to that.

But there are few more sought after mentors in Australian sport at the moment than Daley following his Blues heroics, and the Aussies are soaking up every bit of greatness they possibly can.

Last week in Adelaide, Test legend Steve Waugh dropped by, earlier this week it was former Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

The Victorian, Tasmanian and West Australian contingent in the Australian set-up wouldn’t have recognised Daley, but the league types were like bees around honey.

Warner and Steve Smith are big Roosters fans, even appearing on the big screen during Monday’s win over Penrith.

David Warner picks the brain of Laurie Daley.

Queanbeyan-born Brad Haddin is a staunch Canberra supporter and would have grown up watching Daley run around for the green machine.

When everyone had cleared from the Australian nets, it was born-and-bred Magpie Michael Clarke who engaged in deep conversation with Daley.

Coach Lehmann is an Aussie Rules man, but he’s made no secret of his thirst for knowledge from other sports since taking over as Australian boss.

Lehmann was hugely impressed with Parramatta coach Brad Arthur when he dropped into Eels HQ last year and would have been eager to swap notes with Daley.