NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley blasts his critics after overseeing mammoth upset
NSW coach Laurie Daley slammed his critics, saying some of the comments made ahead of his team’s series win were “unfair” and said: “I don’t know why we attack people like that.”
The Blues produced one of State of Origin’s spectacular upsets, defeating a fanatical Queensland team 30-12 to wrap up the series at Suncorp Stadium. Daley had come under scrutiny for his selections, tactics and use of the bench in the first two matches.
But the former Raiders center had the last laugh after watching his second interstate series win in seven attempts with the board on Wednesday night.
Daley said some criticism of himself, halfback Nathan Cleary and other members of the team leading up to the decision crossed the line.
“There were some hard things [selection] We made the decisions we had to make, but it bothers me to hear people say that NSW ‘don’t get it’ and that they have no passion for the jersey,” Daley said in the post-match press conference.
“This is two of the last three years we’ve won the State of Origin trophy with this group. And I don’t know why we attack people like that.
“Nobody likes criticism; I understand that. It’s coming, so you have to accept it and deal with it, but some parts of the criticism go way beyond others and that really frustrates me. “People who report like this need to take a hard look at themselves.
“Some of the things that were written and said… come on. Anyway, I hope these guys can take care of themselves.”
While Daley did not address this directly, he was likely offended by reports that NSW’s slow start in the opening game was the result of him lulling his team to sleep in pre-game pep talks.
Daley also jumped to the defense of Cleary, who was named man of the match and was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as player of the series. According to Daley, the narrative that Cleary had no inter-county involvement before his Origin III heroics was unfair.
“Oh, it’s right there, isn’t it?” Daley said. “You judge them at the end of their careers, but what he did was extraordinary – four titles in a row. And I don’t understand why people want to bring down champions. I don’t understand.”
“He’s a champion and he’s done great things. Why does he have to do something like he did tonight for people to say, ‘Oh, you know, he’s not a bad player?’ This kind of thing bothers me. “He’s a legend of the game for what he’s done.”
The comments were echoed by NSW legend and eighth Immortal Andrew Johns, who said Cleary had silenced his critics.
“It shuts them all up,” Johns said on Nine’s post-game report.
Asked if Cleary would be motivated by the opposition, Johns said: “Oh, absolutely 100 percent. ‘Kiss my ass!’ like. Well done, Nathan. Of course he heard it. “Anyone who says he hasn’t read is lying… I’m so proud of him.”
Daley’s two-year contract with the NSWRL expired following Wednesday night’s win and it was widely expected he would not serve another term. When asked about his future on Nine, the coach said: “That’s for another day” and then added: “I know what I’m doing.”
If he was heading towards the exit, he served those who criticized him at the exit.
“This wasn’t about the last laugh; it was about these kids playing the best they could,” Daley said.
“Especially, people get angry when they don’t even show up for a training session and don’t show up for press conferences. Show some ball. Where are they now? But hopefully one day this won’t happen to you.”
“Whatever, it is what it is, and people write stories and do whatever they want. But you also need to be held accountable for some of your stories. And I’m going to read those stories, and if things aren’t right, I’m going to report them.”
