NSW coach Laurie Daley has resisted pleas to promote Cameron Murray to the starting side for State of Origin 2 on Wednesday night after calls for Blues skipper Isaah Yeo to be dropped back to the bench. Murray is one of NSW’s most influential players, but in the last two games the Blues have been trailing big when he’s come on from the bench.
Matty Johns has made the most vocals for Murray to start for the Blues, and the former NSW player believes Yeo should be benched. On Tuesday, Johns again stated “Murray must start” and said he hoped Daley was trying to pull the wool over Queensland’s eyes.
Many have called for NSW captain Isaah Yeo (R) to be dropped back to the bench.
(Mark Kolbe)
But speaking at a joint press conference in Melbourne ahead of Game 2, Daley said he wouldn’t be changing his plans. And Murray remained on the bench when the final teams were named on Wednesday night 90 minutes before the game. Both teams will run out as named.
“Cam is a wonderful player, and he’s made such a huge impact on the group this year, and look, there’s always possibilities and Yeoey (Yeo) will probably find himself up front during the game,” Daley said on Tuesday. “Yeah, you could have that option but for us, at the moment, where it’s at, Cam gives us plenty coming off the bench so that’s the way we’ll go.”
The Blues’ record is 3-0 when Murray starts at lock. But in the last three games they’ve been outscored 66-12 in the first half – all with Murray starting on the interchange.
Laurie Daley (R) insisted he wouldn’t be starting Cameron Murray (L) in State of Origin 2.
(Quinn Rooney)Cameron Murray happy to start on bench in Origin
The South Sydney captain played 51 minutes in the 2026 series opener and came onto the field with NSW down 20-6. “I just do what Laurie tells me to do and what the team needs me to do, and that’s coming off the bench,” said Murray.
“I just try to keep a lid on it and try not to play the game in my head and expend all the energy on the bench … so then when it’s time to go on, be the best player I can be for the boys.”
Yeo said the return of Payne Haas will hopefully help the Blues fix their slow starts. “Payne’s one of those players that makes any team that he’s in better,” Yeo said.
“Just how he’s been able to come back from that knee injury for his two games back at the Broncos has been outstanding and I don’t think many players can do what he’s done, particularly in the middle. In his first (Brisbane) game back after the medial (knee injury), he played 80 minutes and was outstanding. He brings that to the NSW level as well and he’s had some terrific performances in that jersey.”