Daley expecting a gritty Origin opener

The Blues are again set to employ a conservative game plan in State of Origin I, coach Laurie Daley says.

NSW VB Blues team coach Laurie Daley

Blues coach Laurie Daley has kept quiet about his Origin II plans for Dylan Walker. (AAP)

NSW coach Laurie Daley is anticipating another gritty State of Origin opener, his move to select attacking threats Matt Moylan and James Maloney unlikely to result in an expansive game plan from the Blues.

The inclusion of Moylan at fullback especially gives NSW another offensive dimension they didn't have last year.

However Daley said on Tuesday he won't be employing an attacking mindset at ANZ Stadium on June 1.

"I wouldn't have thought so," Daley said.

"What we will do is try and win the battle in the middle, anyone will tell you the forwards up front they have to do the job and if they do the job, then you give yourself a chance to attack.

"Game one is predominantly a very dour sort of affair. It is a bit like a boxer coming out in round one or two and just sussing out the opponent first and then as you go into the series you open things up a little bit more".

Queensland have scored 27 tries to NSW's 16 in Daley's three years in charge.

The Blues claimed the 2014 series in scoring just four tries to the Maroons' seven.

"I am assuming with the squad we have got, we will keep it nice and simple to start with and hopefully we will get better as the series goes on," Daley said.

"The first thing we need to do is have our guys understand their roles within the team and they will be fairly simple."

Moylan is confident he can add something to the Blues attack.

"If I get the opportunity to do some ball playing I will take it with both hands," he told AAP.

"I have a good opportunity to gel together with Adam and James, we all like to ball play and to take the line on as well. It is going to be enjoyable for us if we do get a combination going throughout the week and into the game."

NSW will train for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.

Robbie Farah has overcome his concussion and will take part in the session.

Josh Dugan (arm) and James Tamou (infection) won't train until the Blues' main session on Thursday.

Daley is expected to settle on his final 17 after that.


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Source: AAP


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