Gus urges fans to back Daley as post-series slap-down of critics looms
Phil Gould has called for NSW fans to get behind their team and coach Laurie Daley amid ongoing criticism about the formation of the squad for game three.
Daley hinted that he could have a post-series broadside brewing as he continues to be blasted by pundits and fans about his State of Origin coaching credentials.
Laurie Daley. Nine
The NSW coach didn’t hit back at his critics as he addressed media on Monday - but said he would respond once the Suncorp Stadium decider is in the books.
“I think any time you’re gonna cop any criticism in this role, I totally get it and totally understand,” Daley said.
“No one enjoys criticism, but I understand that it comes and it happens.”
The Blues mentor then said: “I’ll touch on some of the commentary around that after game three.”
But as criticism of his selections and abilities to lead NSW to victory continues, Gould offered fans a reminder of Daley’s legacy with the Blues.
“Leading into this decider, it is important that we get behind the Blues and the coach,” the Bulldogs general manager said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“I’m not sure whether a lot of our players are old enough to appreciate who Laurie Daley was to NSW. I know a lot of our fans don’t remember him all that well ... but Laurie Daley is easily the greatest NSW Origin player of all time.
“He was our greatest ever leader and his contribution to NSW was nothing but extraordinary. He comes back to do the coaching at NSW because he loves it. He loves the blue jersey, it is in his heart and in his veins.
“If we had 17 Laurie Daleys next Wednesday, I know who would be winning the shield.”
Daley has copped a barrage of criticism in his second stint as NSW coach, mainly because of his poor Origin coaching record and certain decisions at the selection table.
His call to axe Haumole Olakau’atu for Dylan Lucas after game one drew widespread criticism, as did his decision to pick an underdone Mitchell Moses for the MCG clash.
He has backflipped on his Olakau’atu call for the decider, dropping Lucas and naming the Manly gun on his six-man bench.
But he has stuck with Moses, who will again partner Nathan Cleary in the halves.
Olakau’atu is one of five additions to the Blues’ 20-man squad, along with Bradman Best, Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, Blayke Brailey and Jack Bostock, who will make his Origin debut.
Daley made the massive decision to axe Panthers winger Brian To’o, who for a long time was a NSW mainstay.
The brunt of criticism directed at Daley has come from pundits on Fox League’s NRL 360.
“To have support is great, because everyone needs it at times,” Daley added.
“To receive support is always great, because it’s a lonely space at times. To have people supporting you and being in your corner gives you confidence and strong belief, and you know you’ve got people behind you, which is good to know.
“A lot of our ex-players are supporting us and we know there’s a lot of support from the state behind us and our players feel that and know that.”
If Queensland win the decider, Daley will have only one series victory from seven series as NSW coach.
