NSW leader Laurie Daley has turned to the mental performance guru that helped the Blues snap a 19-year drought last season as he looks to win his first State of Origin decider as a coach.
Daley has been working with renowned mind coach Gilbert Enoka to help navigate the challenges of an Origin series, 12 months after his predecessor Michael Maguire brought him into the NSW fold.
Enoka has worked extensively with the All Blacks and was credited by the Blues for playing a key role in helping overcome the mental challenge of winning their first decider at Suncorp Stadium since 2005.
While eager to ensure the build up to Wednesday’s decider focuses on the players, Daley is confident his approach, and Enoka’s assistance, will help the team produce their best at a sold-out Accor Stadium.
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“He helps everyone,” Daley said. “He’s just good at his craft, just to know how to control things and things externally you don’t need to worry about. He helps with just focusing on what you need to do.
“He’s been around for a long period of time, but it’s not about me, it’s about the team. It’s about what we do tomorrow night. It’s not about what I’ve done in the past, it’s about the team and what we can do for the state.”
One of NSW’s greatest players, Daley’s signature moment as a coach came as the Blues snapped an eight-year run of Queensland dominance in 2014.
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His time in charge, however, took a turn and his five-year reign came to an end after a 22-6 loss in Game Three of the 2017 series. It was his third defeat in a decider.
Having returned to the job this season on the back of last year’s series win, Daley has been eager to build on that success while also adding his own style to the Blues set up.
Twelve of the 17 players in the side played in the 2024 decider, while eight have featured in Penrith’s four-year reign of NRL dominance.
NSW skipper Isaah Yeo has also led the Panthers during their run and said past experience will be crucial in the big moments on Wednesday night.
“I like the fact I’ve got experience in those games,” Yeo said. “You can lean on past things, you have more of an understanding what the focus points need to be in those big moments.
“I get confidence out of that, that’s just myself, everyone is different. That’s not to say someone who hasn’t done it before can’t go and be confident and know exactly what they’re going to do. For myself personally, I’ll like to be able to lean on past experiences.”
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The Blues have received a major boost, with Daley confident Payne Haas (back) and Brian To’o (knee) have overcome injuries to take their place in the team.
Nathan Cleary will also line up, however he won’t goal kick as he manages a groin injury suffered on the eve of Game Two in Perth. Zac Lomax will take on that role for the second-straight match.
Haas has endured a challenging Origin period, overcoming a quad injury to produce a man-of-the-match performance in Game One and was among the Blues' best at Optus Stadium.
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The prop had an injection in his back early last week and has been on restricted duties but Daley is confident the preparation won’t impact his performance.
“Some people you won’t give that time to but the fact he’s done it before, it’ll probably help him rather than hinder him,” Daley said. “He plays long minutes for a front rower, he plays every game and he battles on.
“He probably needs a bit of a freshen up to be fair. He’ll be chomping at the bit to get out there. He wanted to do more last night but it’s not about having him right on a Monday night.”
