Laurie Daley drops Jake Trbojevic State of Origin bombshell

NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has made waves months out from State of Origin getting underway.

Laurie Daley has refused to confirm that Jake Trbojevic will remain NSW captain in 2025 despite leading the Blues to a famous State of Origin triumph last year.

Trbojevic was somewhat of a surprising choice by Michael Maguire for the 2024 Origin series and his captaincy has since been called into question after playing just 85 of a possible 240 minutes across the three matches.

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So even though Trbojevic’s leadership helped NSW claim the Shield back off the Maroons, the fact he was benched for three-quarters of the series has led many to question if there is a better candidate.

Trbojevic was a member of the extended preliminary squad that joined Daley for a brief camp last month and is the only incumbent Blue to have played under the new Blues coach.

However, speaking at the NSW Rugby League’s season launch, Daley refused to confirm Trbojevic would remain captain.

“You’ve just got to see who’s in the team first. You can never anticipate anything in this game,” Daley said.

Jake Trbojevic captained the Blues in 2024 but barely played any minutes. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

However, Daley did note Trbojevic’s limited minutes last series would have no bearing on whether he was selected in 2025 or if he would remain captain.

“(That’s) no issue at all,” Daley continued.

“I thought Jake did a terrific job (as captain). He’s a very passionate leader, the boys all love him, and they respect him. I’m sure if Jake keeps his form up this year, there’ll be no reason not to pick him.

“Everyone has their different thoughts on different players but every time Jake’s pulled on a blue jersey, he’s always played extremely well.

“He’s very passionate about the state.”

If Daley is to go another direction Nathan Cleary would be a leading candidate.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart last month questioned the Trbojevic captaincy choice and suggested Cleary would be the perfect man to wear the armband.

“In my opinion, we (NSW) can hang our future on Nathan’s maturity as a leader and his ability,” Stuart told Code Sports.

Pictured left Laurie Daley and right Trbojevic brothers. Image: Getty

“He’d be my captain. Players like Nathan Cleary don’t come around often. He needs to ‘own’ Origin, and by making him captain this is the best way to have him ‘own’ it.”

While even away from Cleary the Blues have no shortage of options with Stephen Crichton and Mitchell Moses leading their club sides, while Mitch Barnett is a co-captain at the Warriors and Jarome Luai has been named co-captain at the Wests Tigers.

And Manly forward Trbojevic accepted last month he may not retain the captaincy under Daley and isn’t bothered by it.

“No indications yet (as to whether he will remain captain), but there are lots of options there, including some options that weren’t available last year but are back available now,” Trbojevic told the NewsWire last month.

“I’m probably well aware how lucky I was to be the captain, but if it isn’t to be this year, that’s fine. I just hope I’m in there.

“It’s a huge honour, but I’m very aware the experience I was given (was because) there were certain people who weren’t playing last year who may have been (the captain).

“I don’t know, that’s what I’m thinking. I’d love to do it again, but to be fair, I just want to be in the team.”

with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Laurie Daley drops Jake Trbojevic State of Origin bombshell