Daley has hung his game plan on one thing, and it’s a huge gamble

May 27, 2026 — 9:30am

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Asked how his NSW Blues will win tonight’s State of Origin opener at Accor Stadium, Laurie Daley’s answer was simple.

“We’re just going to defend our way to victory,” he said.

In reality, of course it won’t be that simple. But, after so many crushing defeats as a coach at this level, simplifying things seems to be Daley’s way of handling the enormous challenge ahead.

There’s no denying his record is poor.

He coached NSW for five series from 2013 to 2017 for one series win (2014) and was surprisingly resurrected for the 2025 series after Michael Maguire was appointed Broncos coach.

It was a job Maguire secured off the back of a series victory in 2024, snapping a Maroons dominance under Billy Slater.

In 2025, Daley had it all to lose. He was taking over a team which had won the year before.

During his five-year run from 2013, he had excuses as Queensland had a mighty team which strung together 11 of 12 series wins between 2006 and 2017.

This time though, it would be all on him and his good friend, NSWRL boss Dave Trodden, who brought Daley back from the coaching........

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