Queensland coach Kevin Walters has admitted NSW were the better side for a majority of this year's State of Origin series and claims Laurie Daley has been unjustly maligned.
For the second year running, Walters jumped to the defence of his former Canberra teammate, declaring the criticism of his Blues counterpart unwarranted.
After four series losses from five years at the helm, Daley's position is under scrutiny as part of a wider NSWRL review of the Blues' latest unsuccessful campaign, which ended in a limp 22-6 game three defeat.
Walters pointed out that NSW came within two points of winning game two and the series.
"I think Laurie's been unfairly scrutinised," Walters said on Tuesday at the launch of Fox League's retro round.
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"They were very good for the first game, had a great win. In game two they were the best team for probably 65 minutes. And game three they just couldn't quite get it right.
"There's not a lot to fix."
"It could have been us under that scrutiny which is unfair," Walters added.
"I wouldn't have appreciated it if I was in Laurie's position. I know I did everything I could to get a series win and I've got no doubt Laurie Daley did the same thing."
Daley on Monday broke his post-Origin silence, saying he was haunted by the Blues' 2-1 series loss.
He had yet to establish exactly why his team failed to rebound strongly from their confidence-sapping game two loss.
He also said Blues players Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson had not asked whether they could go out drinking at a pub six days out from the decider.
