Matters of State: Daley hoping to make tough calls to backline contenders

Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley is welcoming the tough phone calls and conversations he hopes to face as the leading backline contenders stand up to be counted.

With the Origin teams to be named after the completion of Round 11, several Blues incumbents and hopefuls in key positions are in almost irresistible form, headlined by Latrell Mitchell’s emphatic Rabbitohs performance and Stephen Crichton’s second half demolition of the Raiders.

Mitchell and Crichton aren’t alone in putting their best foot forward for selection and Daley knows it is likely some worthy individuals are going to miss out.

“As it stands now… there's going to have to be some tough conversations and some really good players are going to miss out,” Daley told NRL.com.

I'm hoping that I have to ring people and give them that news that they're not in because if I'm doing that, I know we've got a great squad at our disposal.

“Some of them may feel like they deserve to be there, and they might be right, but that's the position we could be in. And I'm hoping I'm in that position.”

The man who had the NSW helm from 2013 through 2017, losing four series but famously breaking the Queensland juggernaut of eight in a row in 2014, returns as mentor of a winning side after Michael Maguire moved on to coach the Brisbane Broncos.

It creates a unique scenario where incumbency is important, but form and playing style matters as Daley puts his own footprint back on the squad he will select for the May 28 clash in Brisbane.

With conjecture over every backline position, be it fullback, wing, centre and the halves, Daley has too many options, and not enough slots.

“It's certainly a different situation coming in after a winning series,” Daley adds. “The guys did the job for the state last year, so you have to take that into consideration, but you also have to weigh up how people are playing now.

“One thing about Origin is you have to make sure that you have a fit and healthy squad and you've got to make sure that players are buying into the style of footy you want to play.

"We always talk about what an Origin style player is, and it's the player that can continually compete at that level. It's not about the most talented player, it's about the player that when he puts on that jersey, he's not willing to give in.”

Fullback

• Incumbent: Dylan Edwards
• Contenders: James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen

After years waiting behind Tedesco, Edwards finally got his crack at the Blues custodian role for the final two games last season, winning man of the match in the deciding Game III win. Despite some indifferent form to start the season, and some scintillating efforts from former NSW captain Tedesco at the Roosters, Edwards showed his class in Magic Round and likely has the edge to retain his place. Former NSW great and rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns has called for Trbojevic to get the slot however his versatility could see him used elsewhere. The bolter would be Melbourne’s Papenhuyzen, who reminded Daley of his spark with a four try haul against the Wests Tigers.

Wingers

• Incumbents: Brian To’o, Zac Lomax
• Contenders: Jacob Kiraz, Tom Trbojevic, Bradman Best, Campbell Graham

If fit, the 2025 combo walk into the lineup, and To’o made a successful return from a hamstring injury in the Panthers draw with the Cowboys putting him in the box seat. But Lomax has had a lengthy stint out with a foot injury and may not get a game under his belt before the team is announced given Eels coach Jason Ryles has confirmed he won’t be rushed back if there is any doubt. Daley is staunch on having a fully fit team and not carrying players with injury, meaning its possible Lomax could certainly miss the opening game.

If that happens it could open the door for an Origin debut for Bulldog Jacob Kiraz to potentially partner with his club teammate Stephen Crichton on the right side. Despite a couple of handling errors Kiraz broke 12 tackles against Canberra, ran for 155 metres and scored the late try to seal the big comeback victory.

Daley also has the option of using Trbojevic or Best on the wing given the depth of centres available, but there might be trepidation based on the amount of yardage carries expected of modern wing men.

Centres

• Incumbents: Stephen Crichton, Bradman Best
• Contenders: Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham

Crichton is surely a walk up start for right centre if fit, especially after his 161 metres, four tackle busts and two try assists on Saturday. But Best, who only played in the final game last series, may lose his spot to Trbojevic or Mitchell. The latter reminded everybody what he’s capable of against the Broncos in Round 10, producing a handful of brilliant defensive displays before clawing the Rabbitohs back into the contest and kicking an insane 49metre field goal to snatch a famous win. Mitchell was also a star in Game II last season before succumbing to injury ahead of the decider. Frankly, Daley should probably try to find a spot for all three after Trbojevic was solid but not spectacular in the Sea Eagles loss to the Sharks.

Halves

• Incumbents: Jerome Luai and Mitchell Moses
• Contender: Nathan Cleary

While the outside back contenders stood up in Round 10, the same can’t be said for the NSW incumbent halves battling to stay in the side. With Nathan Cleary set to make a return to the Origin arena after missing 2025 through injury, one of the successful duo from last year must make way.

While there is plenty of talk suggesting it will be new Tigers recruit Jerome Luai to move aside, his combination with Cleary (plus Edwards and Yeo) that combined for four straight premierships is not going to be forgotten in the selection discussion. A big game against the might of the Storm may have tipped the scales in his favour, however, the Tigers were humbled 64-0.

Mitchell Moses was great in his return match for the Eels against Luai’s Tigers but has been unable to throw the gauntlet down further in losses to the Sharks and Dolphins, keeping the debate going. The question about two dominant halves working together also still remains.

As tough as leaving out Moses would be, it’s not without precedent. Daley himself played as the Australian five-eighth when Ricky Stuart and Allan Langer tussled for the No. 7 jersey, and he knows the value of combination. Next week may well help decide this battle that is yet to be settled. Moses can impress against the Knights on Friday night while Luai will close out the round on Sunday against the Rabbitohs.