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Important SN update for SouthlandDaley welcomes anxiety in bid to break decider duck
Scott Bailey, AAP • July 1st, 2025 3:00 pm
NSW coach Laurie Daley is aiming for a measured build up of intensity to the Origin series decider | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Laurie Daley admits State of Origin series deciders give him welcome anxiety as he attempts to win his first in four attempts as NSW coach.
After a bonding session at a surf school was washed out on Tuesday morning, NSW players headed west to their Leura camp in the Blue Mountains.
All eyes will likely be on Brian To'o's knee at a rain-sodden Leura over coming days, with the winger fighting to be fit for next Wednesday's Origin III at Accor Stadium, with the series locked 1-1.
After his hat-trick in Game 2, Brian To'o remains the centre of attention with his knee concern | Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP
But Daley knows as well as anyone that timing the preparation for an Origin decider is crucial ahead of the biggest game of the year for most of the players.
Daley contested four deciders as a player, for two wins, one loss and a draw.
As a coach, his record is less than ideal while on the receiving end of the great Queensland dynasty during his first stint as Blues mentor between 2013 and 2017.
NSW couldn't make use of good attacking ball in the 2013 decider in Sydney, beaten 12-10 in game three of Daley's first series as coach.
The Blues were blown away 52-6 by the Maroons in 2015 at Suncorp, before never really being in the contest in a 22-6 loss in the 2017 decider at the same ground.
Current maroons coach Billy Slater got to enjoy the spoils after playing in the 2017 decider | Photo: Darren England/AAP
Daley says he learned from his previous experiences as coach, but the biggest lessons of all came from his playing days.
"I put myself in the players' shoes," Daley said.
"If I walk into day one of an Origin camp, I want to be excited, but I also don't want to be hit with that intensity of 'this is what we're about to go in'.
"Because it's a big build up, you've got to be careful that you don't play the game before you get there.
"You don't want to be sky high today or tomorrow – you want to gradually increase the build up and increase the intensity of everything you do.
"I think it's about building the week, rather than going too hard too early."
It's also why he has no concerns about feeling anxious ahead of next week.
Daley is renowned as being a coach who cares deeply about his players and their results, having even contracted shingles from being run down after the 2013 series.
NSW had their chances to wrap up this year's series in Perth to avoid a decider, but Daley saw enough during their second-half fightback to convince him to keep the same team for Sydney.
The Blues' bold rally from 26-6 down in a 26-24 loss ensured they kept their spots for the decider | Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
"I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't nervous, but it's more excitement than nerves," Daley said.
"Probably anxious is the right word. You're just hoping that you've nailed your prep for the week which we're about to do. That's all we can control.
"I think everyone is excited and has a little bit of anxiety. You had it as a player and you have it as a coach, and you get a bit nervous.
"Anyone who tells you they don't is probably lying.
"That's what we love about sport. What we love about this game is that you've got to have all those emotions because it means that it means something to you."
Of NSW's current side, 12 played in last year's series-deciding win at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland have 10 players who have won deciders before, with recalled Josh Papali'i also part of the last Maroons side to do so in Sydney in 2013.
