Laurie Daley’s early, upsetting State of Origin experiences will have the NSW coach again leaning on the side of conservatism at the selection table ahead of this year’s interstate series.
One of the Blues’ greatest players, Daley said he wasn’t ready for rugby league’s most-exacting arena when he made his debut in the 1989 series, in a year Queensland secured an Origin clean sweep.
Still holding that bad experience close to his heart, Daley indicated at the annual True Blues dinner at Sydney’s Star casino on Wednesday night that his Blues incumbents would hold the inside running in selection for this season.
That comes despite the increasing calls for the likes of James Tedesco, Blake Austin and Bryce Cartwright to be given their NSW debuts.
“It is important that going into Origin, you have a bit of form, you have a bit of confidence, but it is also important that you have been there and you know what to expect,” Daley said.
“Origin is a different rugby league field and, if you have never experienced it before, there are many challenges that you do face and you have to be ready. I know when I first got called to play State Of Origin, I thought I was ready but I wasn’t.
“That is probably one of the reasons why I don’t want to put men into those positions when they are not ready. I would rather they be over-ready than be under-cooked.”
Daley was criticised for showing loyalty to his players last season despite some indifferent efforts as NSW relinquished the Origin Shield they had reclaimed the previous season after eight years of Queensland dominance.
NSW’s greatest coach Phil Gould was a strident critic, for one, of captain Paul Gallen’s continued involvement with the Blues.
The Maroons wrested back Origin supremacy in the most-emphatic fashion when they handed out the biggest hiding in interstate history in the series decider, winning 52-6 at Suncorp Stadium.
The humiliation of that experience still sits sorely with the Blues.
“We have made some tremendous steps forward (in recent years) but, game three, we took some steps backwards and we have to rectify that because we will be judged on how we do that,” Daley said.
RICHARD
Guest
1. Tedessco 2. Fergusson 3. Dugan 4.Jennings 5.Robetrs 6. Austin if not Malone 7. Reynolds 8. Tamou 9. Peats it not Farrah 10. Tolman 11. Cartwright 12. Bird 13. Gallen 14. Fatita 15. Jackson 16. Klemmer 17.one of the if not .
RICHARD
Guest
1. Tedessco 2. Fergusson 3. Dugan 4.Jennings 5.Robetrs 6. Austin if not Malone 7. Reynolds 8. Tamou 9. Peats it not Farrah 10. Tolman 11. Cartwright 12. Bird 13. Gallen 14. Fatita 15. Jackson 16. Klemmer 17.one of the if not
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
lol
Chris Martin
Guest
Mate very good team but you cant go with two rookie halfs who have played in a big game My team would be 1. Tedesco 2. Roberts 3. Morris 4. Jennings 5. Dugan 6. Reynolds 7. Reynolds 8. Woods (if not Gallen) 9. Peats or Ennis 10. Tolman 11. Frizell 12. Jackson 13. Gallen (if not Merrin) 14. Bird 15. Bird 16. Klemmer 17. Merrin (if not Cartwright) Like you said just my team Thoughts?????
John
Guest
I don't know why Daley felt the need to state what has been painfully or joyfully obviously depending on which side you support. As a QLD supporter I reckon Daley could go down as one of the best QLD origin coaches just behind Mal.
Footy 101
Guest
Everyone will have a different option on who should be picked. Here's my team, love it or not, doesn't matter cause I'm not the coach lol 1. Tedesco 2. Fergusson 3. Dugan 4. Morris 5. Roberts 6. Austin 7. Seezer 8. Tamou 9. Farrah 10. Gallen 11. Bird 12. Frizell 13. Merrin 14. Fafita 15. Klemmer 16. Cartwright 17. Moylan
Charles NSW
Guest
Daley needs to stop thinking too much about the political side of things Players must show they are in form first, then find the best available in their positions and yes experience is important If there is not a player that can filll that position then find a player that can fill in In the case of Dugan and Tedesco both have form with Dugan having the experience The coach will look at both players and see what other position he can use to utilise in his team Dugan can play centre so he may use that position for Dugan if he does not have a centre that can produce the form needed in SOO Otherwise he must keep Dugan in as fullback as his form is good and his experience is above Tedesco Bloody Simple!
turboddewd
Guest
Id say Dugan has lost his fullback spot, surely. He has been a pretty good Blue...but how can u go past Tedesco. And how do we get Radradra into Origin? if he qualifies for Aus, he is a Blue! Lozza will always rabbit on about loyalty...how can u be loyal to a losing side?! Partic one that gets flogged in game 3?!