Daley's secret weapon as Blues plot Origin ambush
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NSW coach Laurie Daley has drawn on advice from predecessor Michael Magurie as the Blues look to emulate their 2024 victory in Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider.
Maguire orchestrated a drought-breaking victory at Suncorp Stadium two years ago, the 14-4 win was the state’s first win in a decider north of the border since 2005.
The coach left to join the Broncos following the series and was replaced by Daley last season.
Maroons v Blues – Game 3, 2024
The Blues are in the same position as they were two years ago, preparing to go into battle with few giving them a chance of toppling the Maroons in enemy territory.
Daley, however, revealed he has been in contact with Maguire as his side plots an upset on Wednesday night, with the Brisbane coach coming into camp to meet with the squad on the eve of the match.
“I’ve always been in contact with Madge,” Daley told reporters in Brisbane. “He’s been good over the six-eight week campaign that we’ve had.
“When you’re looking to recreate that, you can’t do it the same but there’s little things you ask and share a bit of information, see what path you go down but he’s been really supportive.
“For me it’s been great that some of these players were here a couple of years ago. They’re leaning on that experience, sharing it with the players, it’s the best way to end a really good camp.”
Nine players remain from the side that prevailed two years ago, with Bradman Best preparing for his first Origin match since scoring the game-breaking try late in the second half.
History has been a key theme for the Blues throughout the series, with the side celebrating 30 years since the 1996 clean sweep.
Daley played centre in that team, with coach Phil Gould rolling out the same 17 for each match.
After wins in Brisbane and Sydney to secure the shield, NSW put a punctuation mark on a dominant campaign with a 15-14 victory at the old Lang Park in Game Three.
Match Highlights: Maroons v Blues
Having featured in that series, Daley said there are lessons the current squad can draw on from 1996.
“We celebrated ’96 earlier in the camp,” Daley said. “We wanted to recognise those bits of history in Origin where people have celebrated some really good things.
“That ’96 team, to win 3-0 and to be able to do it with the same 17 players has probably never happened again. It was great to be able to have dinner with those guys and share their experiences.
“Our players really enjoyed it. They loved sitting next to them, chatting to them, getting a feel of what they went through and how they were able to achieve what they did. Whenever you talk to anyone that’s played Origin, you always get something out of it.”
The current Blues team had dinner with the 1996 side at the SCG when they arrived in camp last Monday.
The dinner provided the chance for some of the game’s legends to reminisce on a successful series while also passing on key lessons to the current generation.
Geoff Toovey was awarded the Wally Lewis Medallist after pulling the strings in the No.7 jumper throughout the campaign and had a conversation with NSW halves Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses about their shared experiences in the sky blue jumper.
Cleary dominates Origin 1
Winger Rod Wishart scored a try in the Game Two victory and said it quickly became clear how focused this Blues team is on upsetting the Maroons on Wednesday night.
“You’ve got to have a serious care factor for each other,” Wishart told NRL.com. “You have different personalities but when you’ve got the Blues jumper on, you look after them no matter what.
“During the game everyone has to be on the same page. If something goes pear-shaped, get back on track. You know you’ve got people in your side who won’t let anyone down, won’t let the state down so have faith and trust that you’ve got the right people to win the series.
“It’s as simple as that. It’s not about ability, it’s more about character. That’s the message we gave this side. Some have played a lot of Origin games already, some haven’t, but we just helped them understand that they have a winning formula. Don’t change it, we know we’re good enough to win, just go out and do it.”
As for the prospect of winning a decider in Brisbane, Toovey said there’s no better feeling.
“It’s always good to win on home soil, but it’s even better to win on foreign soil,” Toovey said. “They are booing and jeering you, it makes that victory a little more special than anything else.”
Don't miss a minute of the action when Queensland and NSW collide in an epic State of Origin decider. Live on Channel 9, 9Now and Watch NRL, Wednesday July 8.
