State of Origin 2016:NSW coach Laurie Daley gives his Blues a day off to escape the pressure

JUST because it’s Origin doesn’t mean you don’t get a day off. NSW coach Laurie Daley has given his players a break from the stress in the lead-up to Game 1.

DON’T mention the Origin war.

That was the message from NSW coach Laurie Daley on Monday as he told his players to soak up their final free moments before launching into action at 8pm Wednesday night.

Careful not to overload the players with information, Daley gave his players the day off and ordered them not think about the game.

NSW coach Laurie Daley talks to the media ahead of Wednesday nights game . Picture Gregg Porteous

“You’ve just got to get them to relax,” Daley said. “Like today, there’s no point me organising, on their day off, to be doing video sessions.

“It’s their day off, they have to relax and get away from footy. You don’t want them thinking about the game. You just want them to go and hang with their mates or friends, or teammates, just not think about it.

“It’s more about making sure they go in there fresh and excited. You don’t want them mentally drained before a game, you don’t want them fatigued with their legs.

“If it rains tonight and rains tomorrow, our captain’s run, for instance, we would cut that down. If we planned to run for 35 minutes, we might cut that back to 15 minutes. It depends. You don’t want to do too much with them.

“There’s no point leaving everything on the training paddock and turning up on game day flat. You’ve got to be able to stay calm. You have to be able to nail it when you get out there and nail it on the training field. Away from that, try and not worry too much about it.

“It’s difficult to work out because sometimes you can have the best sessions and go out and play poorly. Sometimes the worst session and win. Nine times out of 10if your preparation is good you will play well.”

Greg Bird and Dylan Walker make sure training isn’t too serious.

NSW will finalise preparations with a short captain’s run on Tuesday. The players have their own responsibility to prepare for Wednesday evening.

“For me, it’s got to come from within. If you can’t get motivated to play an Origin game, and you need someone to get your ready, that’s not great. You’ve to be able to get yourself ready and what we can add, we will,” Daley said.

“In big games, most people are excited.”

James Tamou and Paul Gallen during NSW Origin team training session at Novatel Pacific Bay Resort ,Coffs Harbour .Picture Gregg Porteous

Blues skipper Paul Gallen said NSW enjoyed the perfect final training session before game three last year.

The confidence gained from that run didn’t flow over onto the field, NSW losing the decider by 52-6.

“I have been in preparations when you go in confident as you can be and go away wondering what happened,” Daley said. “Everything was crisp last year, they didn’t drop a ball, good intensity. Everything you wanted from a team but then we left it on the training field.

“It’s hard to tell. You put a lot into it. If you win, you’re on a high, if you lose, you’re down. But it’s a game. It’s not life or death. That’s the way it should be treated.”

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