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<\/p>\nLaurie Daley was under immense pressure heading into the 2026 Origin series \u2014 but now he deserves \u201crespect\u201d after a series-opening victory according to one leading journalist.<\/p>\n
While the Blues were able to secure the largest comeback victory in the history of Origin after a game-winning James Tedesco try, Daley still didn\u2019t escape scrutiny.<\/p>\n
Many pundits claimed NSW only were able to fight back into the contest because of Kalyn Ponga\u2019s send-off after he collected winger Tolu Koula with an ugly tackle.<\/p>\n
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Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n For The Daily Telegraph\u2019s Dean Ritchie, Daley deserves praise for the victory \u2014 regardless of the circumstances, taking aim at fellow panellist Brent Read.<\/p>\n \u201cI was quite adamant about this, the state of NSW and some journos have shown Laurie Daley no respect whatsoever,\u201d Ritchie said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe result was tainted to some degree because of the Kalyn Ponga send off, I get that. The bottom line is though, that NSW won the game.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Queensland won that game in the same manner, they are lauded as heroes but down here, we win the last minute and our coaching staff is criticised.<\/p>\n \u201cFor you (Brent Read) to come out and say that Laurie should have been sacked after 40 minutes of a three-game series, I thought was disrespectful and insulting to Laurie.\u201d<\/p>\n Read then hit back, claiming the Blues\u2019 display in the first 40 minutes was an \u201cabomination\u201d while also pointing to Daley\u2019s Origin coaching record.<\/p>\n \u201cI am not criticising Laurie\u2019s record as a NSW player, I think he\u2019s one of the great icons of Origin. Amazing footballer, great player,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as a coach, let\u2019s cut to the chase, his record is appalling. One win in (six), this is his seventh series.<\/p>\n \u201cThey lost the last two games last year, the unlosable series and both those games they gave away huge leads to start that match.<\/p>\n \u201cWe start this series, it happens again. First 40 minutes, I called it an abomination, and if it wasn\u2019t for Kalyn Ponga getting send off, they would have lost that one as well.\u201d<\/p>\n Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n ‘The Tigers fans have every right!’ | 01:51<\/p>\n And the bickering continued, with Ritchie posing an interesting question.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care whether Ponga has been sent off or not, the bottom line is, we won,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we lost a player and Queensland won, would you be blueing?\u201d<\/p>\n To which Read responded: \u201cNo because Billy has won three of the last four series, his record says he can turn it around\u201d.<\/p>\n Then he delivered another barb, reference Ritchie\u2019s close relationship with Daley forged during his time as a rugby league reporter.<\/p>\n \u201cLaurie\u2019s record says he can\u2019t, and you are Laurie\u2019s lapdog,\u201d Read said to end the fiery exchange.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s alright for you to have a go at me, but you\u2019re not exactly impartial in this. You\u2019re Laurie\u2019s best mate.\u201d<\/p>\n But overall, one thing will make the criticism of Daley\u2019s coaching fade according to NRL360 host Braith Anasta.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Laurie will get that respect if he wins the series,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is respected as a human being and a player. As a coach, not yet and that is results.\u201d<\/p>\n As it stands, Daley has a 41 per cent win percentage of Blues coach across his two stints, winning seven and losing 10 games.<\/p>\n Under Daley, NSW have won only one series out of six, while he holds a 1-0 series lead in his seventh in charge.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS <\/p>\n CRAWLS: Young stars who must be picked in ELEVEN changes for Origin II<\/a><\/p>\n TALKING PTS: Broncos \u2018BS\u2019 exposed; NSW bolter\u2019s stunning statement<\/a><\/p>\n