State of Origin 2025: Laurie Daley’s NSW Blues appointment celebrated by Queensland Maroons

Laurie Daley is a NSW legend and one of the best blokes in rugby league, but his Origin record won’t exactly fill Blues fans with hope going into the next series, writes BRENT READ.

First, a caveat that this columnist is a Queenslander. But it felt like the only people cheering on Monday morning were my Maroons mates. Laurie Daley is a NSW legend and also happens to be one of the best blokes in rugby league.

However, his record as State of Origin record doesn’t exactly fill Blues fans with hope that the wave of momentum behind NSW will continue next season.

Daley won one of his five previous series in charge. All told, he won six of 15 games. Yes, he was up against arguably the greatest team in the history of Origin – a Maroons outfit loaded with the likes of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater.

But the responses to this masthead’s revelation on Friday that Daley was leading the charge to be Blues coach tells you all you need to know about how this decision will be viewed within NSW.

The overriding emotion was one of abject disappointment and incongruity that the Blues would go back to the past to defend the Origin shield.

It’s not as if they didn’t have options. Both of Michael Maguire’s assistants – Matt King and Brett White – were keen on the job and the Blues had been urged to retain faith in the coaching staff that had helped Maguire topple Queensland this year.

King had even spoken to Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson about the role and it appeared he was ready to stand down as assistant at the Roosters if he was given the job.

Maroons coach Billy Slater will be baying for revenge after this year’s loss.

You don’t get more committed than that. The passionate and invested Michael Ennis had also made it clear he was keen on the job. Ennis would have brought plenty of emotion to the role, not to mention media savvy and coaching nous.

Instead, the Blues went with a cracking bloke who has been there before and failed to convince. Of the past 16 coaches of the Blues, Daley’s record would rank him 10th.

It doesn’t scream our Origin success. Then again, maybe things will be different this time around.

Maybe Daley will thrive given a second chance.

He certainly takes over a NSW side with wind in their sails after Maguire led them to a series win this year.

Daley struggled against Mal Meninga and his dynasty-making team. Picture: Peter Wallis

The addition of Storm coach Craig Bellamy as an advisor won’t hurt. Bellamy has a point to prove in Origin given his only previous taste of the series was as coach and he walked away with his head bowed.

You get the feeling Origin has burned away at him and this is his chance to atone for the past. He and Daley certainly take over a NSW side with wind in their sails after Maguire led them to a series win this year.

The Blues dominated Queensland and it felt like the tide had turned in Origin. It felt like the Blues were on the verge of something special. It felt like the NSW were about to unleash a dynasty of their own.

Now, it feels like Queensland are back in with a chance.