‘We let him down’: Blues players defend Laurie Daley as Origin legend declares he’s still the man to coach NSW next year

Laurie Daley has declared he’s still the man to coach the Blues next year, with a couple of NSW stars quick to take the blame for their shock loss in the series decider.

A defiant Laurie Daley says he should “definitely” remain NSW coach in 2026 and has received support from his players who say they are the ones to blame after the Blues coughed up a 1-0 series lead to hand the shield back to Queensland.

Daley led the team from 2013-17 and returned this year after Michael Maguire guided the team to Origin glory 12 months ago with an epic win at Suncorp Stadium in game three.

The Blues were expected to build on that success under Daley who finally got the chance to coach a team that wasn’t stacked with future Immortals.

Laurie Daley has shut down suggestions he shouldn’t coach the Blues next year. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The series started perfectly with a win in Brisbane, but things didn’t go to plan after that with NSW blown away in the first half in each of the final two matches to lose the series despite being short-priced favourites to retain the shield.

Daley has now lost all four deciders as Blues coach, with his decision to not select Terrell May or Keaon Koloamatangi sure to come under the microscope after they were well beaten through the middle.

“Most definitely,” he replied after the game when asked if he should remain NSW coach.

“I think what we’ve been building (gives me the confidence that we can win). While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players had a really good campaign but we just didn’t nail the moments so we have to be better at that.”

Blues enforcer Liam Martin was adamant that Daley wasn’t at fault for what went down at Accor Stadium and said the players had to cop the blame.

“We let him down,” he said.

“(Isaah Yeo) addressed it before and said we were so disappointed as a playing group because ‘Loz’ and everyone involved deserved so much more from us.

“They left no stone unturned in their preparation and what they gave us during the week. They did everything they needed to do, but we just didn’t perform out there.

“If there’s any criticism, criticise us as the playing group, not Loz. He couldn’t have done much more.”

Liam Martin says his hand is fine despite fears he’d done some damage during the game. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Star halfback Nathan Cleary was also quick to defend Daley, with questions to be asked about their attack which didn’t seem to have other options after the Maroons rattled them early.

“He wasn’t the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players,” he said.

“He committed a lot to the preparation and I thought the preparation was really good.”

Meanwhile, Martin expects to be fine for Penrith’s game against the Eels on Sunday despite hurting his hand in the first half when he was tackled by Kurt Capewell.

“It’s come good. There was a bit of carry on but it’s feeling all right now,” he said, with the edge forward requiring assistance from the team’s medical staff.

“I had contact straight on it and it didn’t feel good for a few minutes, but as the game went on, it got better.”

Originally published as ‘We let him down’: Blues players defend Laurie Daley as Origin legend declares he’s still the man to coach NSW next year