New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has found himself in the firing line after a dismal display by the Blues in Origin II.
Daley’s side entered game two with a chance to wrap up the series after their come-from-behind win in game one.
And they looked well on for a win when they raced out to a 12-2 lead early in the first half.
They held a 12-8 lead at half-time, but that is where the good news ended for the Blues as Queensland rallied back in the second-half.
The game hung in the balance somewhat when the Maroons held a 26-18 lead with around 20 minutes to go in the second-half.
But that is when first-half try hero Kotoni Staggs became the villain as he was sin-binned for a dangerously high tackle on Kalyn Ponga as Selwyn Cobbo raced away to set up another try.
Kotoni Staggs was the hero-turned-villain for the New South Wales Blues as his sin bin all-but sealed their Origin II defeat
Fans have also taken aim at coach Laurie Daley and have called for the Blues coach to be sacked
Blues fans have voiced their displeasure with both men and have called for Daley to be sacked, as well as Staggs to be dropped from the squad.
One user on X, Alicia Newton, wrote ‘Wrong use of bench, players picked out of position, attack too structured… Blues got what they deserved.
‘Could easily be 2-0 too. Terrible signs heading to Suncorp.’
Another under the name Nathan Loves Knicks added, ‘I genuinely hope I’m proven wrong but sending a Laurie Daley coached team up to Suncorp to win an Origin decider is essentially forfeiting.’
One Blues fan also went as far as to suggest Daley should be sacked before the next game, Jasun posted, ‘Surely sacking a coach 2/3 into the season is ok.’
Daley’s team selection also came under fire, with one user writing, ‘NSW need someone who actually watches football to select their squad.’
Queensland dominated the second-half to claim Origin II and put themselves in the box seat for the series decider in Brisbane.
There was also plenty of blame for Staggs who didn’t have the best of games despite his early try.
One user on X wrote, ‘OK can we now stop with the Cleary, Moses combination, they were utter garbage tonight!!! Daley needs to and take Lucas, Staggs and Robson with him just to name a few.’
One fan even cheekily suggested that Daley and Staggs were Queensland’s best performers on the day.
The Blues will now have to travel to a Suncorp Stadium that has not been the happiest of hunting grounds.
NSW have managed a meager five wins in their last 23 trips up to Brisbane.
That gives Daley’s side a mountain to climb after they were roundly beaten by a superior Queensland side.
Many have argued that the Maroons would have had the series wrapped up after today’s result had Kalyn Ponga not been sent off for a head charge in Origin I.
Queensland were in the ascendancy at that point in the game and looked on course for a win.
But that moment flipped the game on its head as the Blues came storming back to steal the win.
There was no such chance of a comeback for the Blues today as Queensland raced away in the second-half and now stand in pole position to claim the State of Origin series.
