Laurie Daley Q&A: NSW Blues coach on ‘soft touch’ perceptions, trolls and the side’s biggest challenge in 2025

Incoming NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has addressed concerns over his return to the State of Origin job, rejecting claims he is an easy target for critics. Watch the video and read the full Q&A.

Laurie Daley has emphatically denied being a soft touch.

In an extensive one-on-one interview with this masthead, Daley rejected claims he was an “easy target” and sent a message to online trolls.

The incoming Blues coach also addresses how he will balance his radio commitments with one of the toughest coaching gigs in Australian sport.

Dean Ritchie: Some say you’re too nice?

Laurie Daley: I don’t know where that comes from. You always have to make tough decisions. Just because you’re respectful, some people think you’re an easy target.

DR: So let’s clear it up right now, Laurie, are you a soft touch?

LD: I won’t be an easy target. I don’t think I’ve ever been an easy target. But you have to learn from your past mistakes.

DR: Your loyalty is your greatest strength, but can it can also be your greatest weakness?

LD: I don’t think I was loyal but loyalty does play a role in representative teams. Your reputation will only carry you so far.

DR: How will you juggle the coaching role with working on the Big Sports Breakfast morning radio show?

NSW Blues Origin coach Laurie Daley. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

LD: I will keep working but will take some time off during the Origin campaign.

DR: There will be the usual hesitancy about your appointment from fans. Does that bother you?

LD: Any position you open yourself up for, there’s going to be criticism. If you put it out there on Twitter, you know you’re going to get 50 per cent of people hating you and 50 per cent liking you. Everyone has an opinion about State of Origin and you can’t change what people think. Every series is different but fans should be excited because of what NSW was able to achieve this year. All you can do is your best.

DR: Will the incumbents get first crack?

LD: The one thing you learn over time is that you have to pick on form. That’s what NSW did really well this year.

DR: Latrell Mitchell’s an Origin beast. What are your thoughts on him lining up for the Blues in 2025?

LD: We all saw that he did in Origin II this year. When Latrell is in that mood, there’s not a more destructive player in the game. Hopefully he’s playing well for South Sydney and if he’s doing that, it will be a bonus for NSW. People know he delivers in this arena.

DR: What about the media scrutiny?

LD: I’m sure I’ll be dealing with you throughout the year – the good and the bad.

DR: Mitch Moses or Nathan Cleary?

LD: If you get too far ahead of yourself … you just never know. If all those players are available, I’ll be extremely happy. I’m happy to make a tough choice. The one thing you learn when you’re in the hot seat is that you never get the team you think you’re going to get – there’s always injuries and suspensions.

DR: Are you a different coach from seven years ago, when you last coached NSW?

LD: You’d like to think so. I’d like to think I’m a better coach and I’d like to think I’ve learned a lot. There’s maturity. You learn how to handle things differently. There are a lot of aspects that go into running a football program – the coaching side and the human side. You always learn, you always want to get better – that doesn’t change through life. I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity again but it’s come about, I’ve accepted and we move forward.

DR: Any regrets when you left the job back in 2017?

LD: I don’t think you have too many regrets, just things you know you can do a little bit better. That’s a learning process and everyone is better the second time around. You learn as you go, you sit back and analyse.

DR: Plans to kick-start next year?

LD: There will be a camp in early February where we will assemble a lot of players. I don’t know the players that well so I have to start a relationship sooner rather than later.

DR: Is it too early to start talking about pre-game camps?

LD: What NSW did last year was great and I would assume we’d be heading back up to the Blues Mountains. Everyone loved it, the players bought into it.

DR: What’s NSW’s greatest challenge?

LD: To be better than what we were this year.