Laurie Daley has brushed off criticism around his coaching, while Blues captain Isaah Yeo has put the onus on players to start well in game two.
Despite winning the State of Origin series opener, Daley has remained under the microscope given the fact NSW started poorly and only got back into game one when Queensland were down to 12 men, with Kalyn Ponga sent off.
Kalyn Ponga’s send off changed the outcome in Sydney. Getty Images
His overall record at Origin level has also been dragged into the spotlight, having lost all-but one of his six series in charge of the Blues.
Speaking at the pre-game press conference, Daley was asked point-blank about the criticism of his coaching and his record in charge of the NSW side.
“Thanks for bringing up that record, it’s not great is it? I want what’s best for NSW, I want the boys to win,” Daley said.
“I want to win, I want them to win and I want the fans to win.
“If I can satisfy everyone from NSW and the boys are really happy with their performance tomorrow night [then I’m happy].
“It’s very funny, I know you hear it all the time and you get excited when you win and disappointed when you lose – there’s no in between.”
The talk around Daley reached new heights the day before kick off at MCG, with reports from News Corp claiming his pre-game speeches have failed to resonate with the Blues playing group, culminating in poor on-field starts.
Yeo – who is in his second year as skipper – said the players needed to take the responsibility for how matches start against the Maroons.
“It certainly is on us as players, we’re the ones out there,” he said.
“It’s been spoken about over the last two series, we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.
“You certainly need to discuss it and learn your lessons, but you don’t want to make too much of a thing about it, because I don’t want us to tighten up.
“That just means there needs to be individual accountability.”
One of the other big talking points when it comes to Daley is his team selections and the make-up of NSW’s forward pack and interchange.
Calls have been growing louder for Cameron Murray to start at lock, shifting Yeo to the front-row, given the impact the Rabbitohs star makes at Origin level.
Cameron Murray has been named on the bench. Getty
But when asked if he had given any thought to shaking things up, Daley remained staunch in his selections and indicated Murray would remain on the bench.
“No – obviously Cam is a wonderful player and he’s made such a huge impact on the group this year,” he said.
“Yeoy will probably find himself up front tomorrow during the game. It’s just the roles they both play and you could have that option, but for us at the moment where it’s at, Cam gives us plenty coming off the bench and that’s the way we’ll go.
“If they’re on together, great. If one’s on and one’s off, it’s good.”
After sitting there for an extended period while others fielded questions, Murray was then asked about criticism of Daley’s coaching, before also being asked whether he would prefer to start for the Blues or come off the bench.
“It’s a tough one and only question,” the Rabbitohs captain said.
“To be honest, I don’t read into too much of what’s going on with the outside noise, so I’m not too across what’s been said about him.
“What I am across is what’s been happening within our four walls and how we’re prepping and what we’re trying to build here.
“Laurie touched on it before, we want to make NSW proud and we’re all doing the best job we can and Laurie’s a big part of that. He’s our coach, he’s our leader and what he’s done for the jersey while he’s played and as a coach has been incredible.
“We want to repay all that hard work as a playing group and get that win.
“I just do what Laurie tells me to do. I do what the team needs me to do and that’s coming off the bench.”