Origin III selections RECAP: Daley grilled on criticism, future as Blues coach

Thanks for tuning into our live coverage for State of Origin selections!

All roads now lead to Suncorp Stadium for the series decider on July 8.

Here’s the final squads for game three.

NSW BLUES: 1. James Tedesco 2. Jack Bostock 3. Bradman Best 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Payne Haas 9. Reece Robson 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Hudson Young 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Cameron Murray 15. Addin Fonua-Blake 16. Haumole Olakau’atu 17. Blayke Brailety 18. Ethan Strange 19. Tolu Koula 20. Victor Radley

QLD MAROONS: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Rob Toia 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Jojo Fifita 6. Cameron Munster 7. Sam Walker 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Briton Nikora 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Max Plath 15. Patrick Carrigan 16. Jeremiah Nanai 17. Trent Loiero, 18. Reece Walsh 19. Murray Taulagi 20. Corey Horsburgh

Tom Trbojevic was ‘spoken about’ according to Laurie Daley, but the selectors opted not to select the Manly superstar for game three.

“We spoke about Turbo, but we just felt that the other boys were the better option at this stage,” Daley said.

Laurie Daley has reacted to the criticism and subsequent support he has received, with a host of former NSW captains penning a letter in The Daily Telegraph urging people to get behind the embattled State of Origin legend.

“I think any time you’re gonna cop any criticism in this role, I totally get it and totally understand,” the Blues coach said.

“No one enjoys criticism, but I understand that it comes and it happens. I’ll touch on some of the commentary around that after game three - but to have support is great, because everyone needs it at times.

“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.”

Daley refused to reveal his plans about next year with the Blues when asked.

“I’m head-on for the next 10 days and that’s where my focus is,” he said.

“That doesn’t worry me at all. My main role is having my focus on this role and once this is over, I’ll go back to my job which is a commentator.

“My heart and soul has been put into this and if anyone thinks I’m not going to be as prepared as I’ve ever been to coach a footy side in this game, they shouldn’t be surprised because I’m doing my best to get this team to win.”

Laurie Daley has denied the performance from Haumole Olakau’atu for the Sea Eagles on Saturday night was the reason for his Origin recall.

“Not really,” he said.

“We spoke to Haumole when he didn’t make game two about what we were looking for and since then, he’s gone back and played well for his club and done what we’ve asked him to do - it’s more about that.”

Daley however refused to go into details of the issue with Olakau’atu for game two and why he was dropped in favour of Dylan Lucas.

“Those conversations are private - if Haumole wants to tell you, he can tell you - but as a coach, I wouldn’t like to do that,” he said.

“He knew where we were and what we needed to see. It’s been a good response from him and he’s handled it really well.”

Blues coach Laurie Daley hasn’t ruled out shaking up his forward pack before next Wednesday’s clash, with the likes of Haumole Olakau’atu and Cameron Murray selected on the bench in the initial 19-man squad.

“I think we’ll make up our mind later in the week what our starting side will be, but at the moment it’s 1-17 and that’s the way we’re going,” Daley said.

“Certainly will leave it open to make some late changes. I haven’t locked it in or out ... we’ll just wait and see how the week unfolds.”

Liam Martin has been recalled and named to start in the back-row.

“We’ve just gotta get the best out of Liam and if that’s 50 minutes, it’s 50 minutes and if it’s 80 minutes, it’s 80 minutes,” Daley said.

Laurie Daley believes the aerial threat of Jack Bostock and Stephen Crichton will hold the Blues in good stead for the Origin decider.

Bostock, Crichton, Liam Martin and Bradman Best have all been rushed into the side as NSW look to regain the shield in enemy territory.

“Obviously we’ve gotta get it right,” he said.

“Just with Critta coming back into the side, he was disappointed he missed out in game two through injury. Marto’s had four games back through injury and he brings that experience and he’s used to playing with Nathan.

“And then with Jack, it was exciting to give him the phone call and let him know that he’s in the team. He’s very good in the air, carries the ball strongly.

“Bradman has been there and done it before.

“For those four guys to get the opportunity is exciting obviously disappointing for the guys we had to leave out, but they’re the tough decisions you have to make.”

Daley said the aerial threat of Bostock and Crichton was a reason for the calls.

“Not so much tall, but a different option we were looking at with the ball in the air to attack with,” he said.

“With the game today, there’s so many more contested possessions, so you’ve gotta be able to get off the ground and catch the ball.”

Laurie Daley is preparing to speak to media in Sydney, but he stopped by Nine’s Today beforehand to explain his call to axe Brian To’o.

“We just felt like we needed to make that change,” the Blues coach said.

“Jack is a different type of player to Brian, so there will be aspects of Brian’s game that obviously we will miss ... but Jack brings something a bit different.

“We feel as though it will give us an advantage when we go to Suncorp, but you never like making those phone calls, because they’re always tough.”

Queensland coach Billy Slater has remained coy on his future in the role when asked by journalists whether game three would be his last in charge.

“I don’t think so, but I don’t know,” he said.

“I won’t be signing another contract, this is not a contract job for me. I really enjoy helping this group of men to go and inspire our people of Queensland.

“When that changes, my position will change or if someone in the QRL think there’s another person better for the job, I’m all for that as well.”

Slater was then asked if he is operating on a handshake deal with the Maroons.

“Yep, pretty much - it might surprise you, but that’s how it is,” Slater said.

Billy Slater has heaped praise on Broncos superstar Reece Walsh, who sat on the bench for 80 minutes in game two with the Maroons.

“Not so much like a game of chess - we can inject anyone from our bench at any time,” Slater said on Monday morning.

“There are different ways that we can inject anyone on our bench ... if Kalyn [Ponga] had come off in that incident, Reece would have gone straight on.

“The one thing I loved about Reece’s preparation last camp was he was willing to do whatever it took for the team. I had a conversation with him last night to notify him of his selection again and he’s all-in for whatever is needed.

“Sometimes we can get hung up on any one individual, but the strength of this team is the team and that’s what the whole squad has been locked in for.”

Billy Slater has explained his decision to drop Dolphins back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki for the State of Origin decider.

“They’re tough calls, they’re tough conversations,” the Maroons coach said.

“I think Kuli has developed so much over the last 18 months and that earned him an Origin jersey ... but I still think there’s some growth in his game.

“We have those conversations and I look forward to seeing the growth in certain parts of his game. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be in this footy team as a future.”

Finefeuiaki received limited minutes off the bench in game two and has been replaced by Cowboys try-scoring machine Jeremiah Nanai.