NSW Origin Coach Laurie Daley Addresses Injury Challenges
NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley acknowledges the significant impact of injured prop Payne Haas on his team’s front row, but he remains confident that the Blues are not reliant on a single player. The Broncos announced on Monday that Haas will be out for six to eight weeks due to a grade-three MCL injury, which forced him off the field during Saturday night’s victory over the Wests Tigers.
This news came as Daley and Blues captain Isaah Yeo were speaking at the launch of the men’s and women’s State of Origin series at the MCG on Monday. The iconic stadium will host game two of the men’s series on June 17. Daley did not provide a specific timeline for Haas’ return, but it is expected that he will miss the first game of the series at Accor Stadium on May 27, with a return for the MCG match still uncertain.
“Payne is the elite front-rower in the game, so if he’s not out there for game one, we’ll have to find a replacement,” Daley said. “It gives someone an opportunity to play, someone that may not have played Origin before, but we are confident we have the depth and we can overcome Payne not being there. If we are just relying on one player to win the State of Origin, we’re not going to win. It’s all about picking the right player, and we’ll do that.”
Daley faced a tough weekend, with Haas, Tom Trbojevic, and Mitch Kenny all suffering injuries. While Trbojevic could miss eight weeks with a hamstring issue, Kenny suffered a leg fracture against the Dolphins and may be sidelined for two months. Yeo, the experienced skipper, downplayed the injury crisis, stating that whoever takes the field for the Blues will be up to the task.
“It changes each week at the moment with all the injuries,” Yeo said. “Payne is a wonderful person to have around the side, but on the back of that he’s an incredible player as well. He adds so much to any team he is part of. That would be a big loss – six to eight weeks, it’s the first I’d heard of it.”
While the focus was on who wouldn’t be available, Daley hinted that former Blues star James Tedesco could be recalled at fullback for the first time since the opening game of 2024. However, the incumbent, Dylan Edwards, has started the season strongly.
“He’s playing great footy – he and Dylan are playing great, and Teddy was outstanding on Sunday,” Daley said. “He rarely plays a poor game. It’s always a good sign for the Roosters and for NSW as we want people on their toes and in form coming into Origin. It will come down to whoever is playing their best – that’s the fairest way of doing it.”
Daley emphasized that both players are “out-and-out fullbacks,” meaning he won’t pick them both and play one out of position.
The Blues have had a strong record at the MCG, winning matches in 2015, 2018, and 2024. Despite rising cost-of-living pressures, the NRL expects a crowd of more than 80,000 for this year’s clash. Additionally, the MCG will host an NFL regular season game on September 11, which may draw some fans away from the Origin match.
The NRL also anticipates larger crowds and TV audiences for the women’s Origin series. Although none of the three matches will be held at the MCG this year, Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements expressed hope that Victoria might bid to host a women’s Origin game in the future.
“I would hope that in a couple of years we’ll also start to talk about the women’s Origin being played here because I think that will be a fantastic signal for the growth of the sport,” McClements said.
Cameron Munster Finds Solace in Yeo’s Advice
Melbourne Storm star and Queensland skipper Cameron Munster appeared frustrated during Monday’s State of Origin launch at the MCG. The Storm have lost five straight games, and Munster admitted his form has not been consistent enough, leading him to question whether he would be selected to lead the Maroons onto the MCG for game two of the series on June 17.
“My form hasn’t been up to par,” Munster said. “I have high expectations of myself. I’m going into games at the moment trying too hard and when that happens pressure mounts and you think you can do it all yourself. Things aren’t falling into place that usually fall into place.”
Origin matches are known for their intensity, but as they looked over the MCG on Monday, Yeo offered Munster some advice about the value of losing. Yeo’s Panthers were in a similar situation early last season, losing five straight games before turning things around and making the finals. This season, those same Panthers are runaway leaders with a 6-1 record and are early favorites for another NRL title.
“I was speaking to Yeoy about it, and they went through something similar last year,” Munster said. “I’ve never had the opportunity to lose five games in a row before and hopefully will never again lose five games in a row. It heightens that pressure more. We’ve been close but no cigar at the moment. We’ve got some young boys and we need to keep believing in them. Hopefully, our spine, myself and the other three guys can pull our finger out because we’ve been below par in the way we’ve been connecting.”
Yeo laughed when asked about giving advice to old rivals such as Munster and the Storm. “I know what he is going through just from last year – it’s not nice,” Yeo said. “But the lessons you can learn from it, and we are still learning at the moment, they can put you in good stead for the future. But it is not much fun when you are going through it.”
Maroons coach and Storm great Billy Slater reminded Munster that there are plenty of games left in 2026. “He cares and the club cares – I’ve got no doubt they can turn it around as it’s round seven and there are still 20 rounds to go,” Slater said. “In terms of Origin, those players are down on confidence. I’m sure they will look to the simple parts of their games to get those right and that’s what turns it around.”
