Daley not playing Qld's Origin mind games

NSW coach Laurie Daley and captain Boyd Cordner have refused to buy into Queensland's early mind games ahead of next week's State of Origin II.

NSW coach Laurie Daley has vowed not to fall for Queensland's mind games after Maroons counterpart Kevin Walters' move to disguise the make-up of his State of Origin II team.

Queensland on Monday mysteriously announced their 17-man squad alphabetically, with Walters later leaving the door open for Darius Boyd to play in the centres.

Boyd's move from fullback was one of seven changes made to the side who lost the series opener, prompting Walters to also claim the state was in a period of transition.

However, Daley called Walters' bluff on Tuesday, saying the reunion of star spine Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith made the Maroons favourites.

"When you have those four players in your team, it certainly provides plenty of confidence. I think it's a throw-off," Daley said on the second day of camp at The Star in Sydney.

"We know what to expect. The challenge has been set for us to see whether we can play as well, if not better. Against this team, that's what we're going to have to do."

Boyd is widely tipped to move to left centre where he's expected to partner debutant Valentine Holmes, with Will Chambers shifting to the right channel alongside winger Dane Gagai.

Daley conceded he was unsure where Boyd would end up, but believed the incumbent Kangaroos' fullback would pose a threat anywhere in the backline and wouldn't be a target.

"He'd play five-eighth and do a really good job if he had to," Daley said.

"We won't be targeting him. He's a very good defensive player too, Darius. No, I don't think that'll be an option for us."

Blues captain Boyd Cordner said gamesmanship was simply a part of the Origin arena.

"That's just the way it is mate - that's Origin. I think you can get a grasp of what the team's going to be. Whatever they put out as their side, we wouldn't be too fussed about that," he said.

"We know as a team how good of a team they are and how good we're going to have to be to beat them in game two.

"You got Thurston and Slater - you know where they're going to play. Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk, most of the video and that comes around them guys," he said.

"It won't change too much for us during our week."


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Source: AAP



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Daley not playing Qld's Origin mind games | SBS News