SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Daley hits back at Freddie's Origin swipe

Blues coach Laurie Daley has responded to criticism by Brad Fittler that this year's State of Origin rugby league team lack a killer instinct.

Laurie Daley
NSW coach Laurie Daley has hit back at Brad Fittler's comments that the Blues lack killer instinct. (AAP)

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

NSW coach Laurie Daley has hit back at Blues legend Brad Fittler's claims this year's team lack the killer instinct to put Queensland to the sword and win the State of Origin series.

Fittler became the second former NSW star to call out the Blues following last week's heartbreaking game two collapse that has swung the series back in Queensland's favour.

The former Blues captain said the players needed to find the final blow, however Daley insists his men have already shown their own the mettle to step up when it matters.

"We've certainly got it," Daley said on Fox Sports' NRL360 on Monday.

"Whether we displayed it the other night, that's Freddie's opinion and he's entitled to it. We certainly showed a killer attitude in game one, and we did it in the first 40 minutes in game two."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Daley said the Blues simply lost momentum for too long a stretch in the second half, and would need to address their negative approach to the second half in camp next week.

"We probably got negative and tried to hang on, rather that just going flat chat at it. And I'll talk to some of those guys when we go back into camp," he said.

Daley refused to rule out making changes to the line-up for the June 12 finale at Suncorp Stadium, but insisted he would also be comfortable with sticking to the same squad of 17.

The game three team gets named on Monday, and plenty of focus will surround the health of captain Boyd Cordner after he picked up a calf injury in game two.

He failed to back up for Sydney Roosters in Saturday's NRL win over Melbourne.

"I'm comfortable with the squad that we've got. I'm very comfortable. That's not to say that if we felt that to win, and we can improve our side, we wouldn't tinker with it," Daley said.

"I can't imagine massive changes, but I'm very confident in that 17 guys going up to do the job."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world