Some of the biggest NSW Blues stars are extremely concerned about Laurie Daley’s coaching, it has been reported.
Multiple Blues players have been underwhelmed by Daley’s pre-match addresses, which is said to be a reason for the side’s slow starts to previous games.
In the first half of the last three Origin matches, the Cockroaches have been outscored 66-12 by their opponents.
Queensland sprinted out to a 20-0 lead at Accor Stadium in game one of this year’s series and were on track to achieve another famous win away from home.
But when fullback Kalyn Ponga was controversially sent off in the 57th minute, the pendulum swung significantly in NSW favour.
With a one-man advantage for 23 minutes, the Blues recovered from a 20-6 deficit to clinch a thrilling victory.
A new report says some NSW Blues players are dissatisfied with Laurie Daley’s coaching (pictured, NSW stars at training for game two)
Daley (pictured) has claimed victory in just one of his six series in charge of the Blues
Multiple sources have told News Corp that certain Blues players had concerns about Daley’s pre-match rev-ups and coaching in the lead-up to the series opener.
Despite being regarded as one of his state’s greatest ever players, Daley has a sub-par record as Blues coach.
He has won only one of six series in charge, with the majority of his coaching tenure coming when Queensland fielded what’s widely regarded as Origin’s greatest-ever teams featuring stars like Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith.
Daley was able to claim a series victory back in 2014, which broke Queensland’s stranglehold after they won eight consecutive titles.
Negative rhetoric about Daley was first pushed this year, after he made an embarrassing mistake when announcing his squad for Game 1.
The coach attempted to reveal Penrith Panthers star Casey McLean as a member of his group, but accidentally misspoke, and said Casey ‘Maguire’.
Although he has been bashed from pillar to post during 2026, the coach has found an ally in his former NSW teammate Andrew Johns.
‘As far as football intelligence, people totally underestimate Loz,’ Johns said.
Despite enjoying limited success as coach, Daley (pictured right of Ben Elias) is regarded as one of his state’s greatest ever players
Daley has been backed to the hilt by his former Blues teammate Andrew Johns (pictured)
‘Laurie doesn’t promote himself.
‘Every coach, even the greatest, has at least one journalist promoting them, defending them, pointing out their achievements, writing a favourable narrative.
‘Loz operates solo to his detriment. His own integrity is a handicap in the battle of public opinion.
‘This series for Loz is of course about New South Wales pride but for him personally it’s about getting the respect he deserves.’
