Former NSW star Josh Reynolds has leapt to the defence of Laurie Daley, hitting out at critics and the “madness” surrounding the coach.
After losing the State of Origin series last year, the knives were already out for Daley prior to game one last Wednesday night.
Laurie Daley has copped plenty of criticism. Getty
Those same knives were undoubtedly being sharpened when the Blues went down 20-0 in the first half, only to produce a remarkable second-half comeback after Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off to win 22-20.
The extenuating circumstances of the win haven’t quietened the noise around Daley, with many still questioning his coaching and tactics.
But the coach does have one key ally in Reynolds, who played in the successful 2014 series under Daley and delivered a passionate defence of him.
“I’m sick and tired,” Reynolds said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“This is what I always say as well – we pick the side and for two days, all right, have your say of who you think should have been in and why they got it wrong – but as soon as we’re in camp and in that week, let’s just get behind our team.
“What people have got to understand is as well … is if you don’t really know the proper Loz like we do, and you want to have a crack at him, I would love for you to get to know him properly and the passion he’s got for that NSW team and jersey.
“Say what you want about Loz as a coach, but have a look back and see what he did in the NSW jersey as a player. He should be able to do whatever he wants, pick a team, this or that, and still have the respect of the people.
“It’s madness that we turn on him and each other.”
Reynolds – who played four games for the Blues – also pointed to Daley’s bench selection, which received plenty of backlash, as a reason for the win.
“Everyone was into our bench. Who won us the game on the weekend on Wednesday? It was our bench,” Reynolds said.
“Loz picked a small bench and we won the game off the back of it.”
Daley will have some major selection calls to make before game two, with young gun Ethan Strange impressing in his Origin debut and the man he replaced, Mitchell Moses, expected to be fit to return from a hamstring injury.
Stephen Crichton is also under pressure to retain his spot at centre, while Jacob Saifiti didn’t get on the field in the series opener.