NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley explains Brian To’o axing and selections for Brisbane decider

Updated June 29, 2026 — 12:22pm,

Brian To’o’s exposure under the bright lights and Queensland’s aerial assault. Rekindling the old Panthers right edge to combat the Maroons’ biggest attacking threat. A play-making spine under increasing pressure.

Laurie Daley gave enough and kept more to himself on Monday morning when he fronted the cameras and microphones, though he refused to entertain suggestions he was doing so for the last time as NSW coach.

And under a small mountain of criticism, Daley hinted at keeping receipts on the commentary about his coaching as he explained five critical team changes ahead of a legacy-defining 80 minutes in next the Origin decider on July 8.

Why To’o was dropped and Bostock was backed in

Daley’s decision to drop To’o – the best winger of his generation – after 17 consecutive Origin games ranks as one of the biggest calls of his coaching career.

The selection of Dolphins flyer Jack Bostock on the left wing outside Bradman Best makes for an untried combination, and for Bostock, an Origin baptism of fire.

To’o’s small stature – his listed height of 182cm has long been disputed – has always been a perceived target for rival kickers, but Penrith and NSW have typically managed to protect him by pairing him with tall centres and getting teammates to provide an “escort” to make life more difficult for chasers.

But Queensland’s halves, Sam Walker and Cameron Munster, have managed to exploit him this series with cross-field kicks – most notably when Jojo Fifita soared over him at the MCG.

Uncharacteristic errors in Origin I, and a career-high average of one mistake a game for the Panthers this year, have To’o “down on confidence” in Daley’s eyes, with Bostock’s 194cm frame preferred.

“It’s not so much height we were looking at – we were looking at a different option with the ball in the air to attack with,” Daley said.

“Because there are so many more contested possessions in today’s game, you need to be able to get off the ground, catch the ball and make it a contest.”

The true test for Bostock and the Blues will be covering for the hard yards To’o makes from deep inside his own half. To’o is the best yardage player in the game and has run for more metres than any NSW player since his 2021 debut.

Getting the Panthers band back together

Kotoni Staggs and Mark Nawaqanitawase were targeted and found out by Queensland’s marauding left edge in Melbourne: six out of seven tries were scored down their channel.

As the best defensive centre in the game, Stephen Crichton replaces Staggs and is moving far more freely in recent weeks as he manages his ongoing AC joint issue in his shoulder.

Stephen Crichton has been in a great form recently for the Bulldogs.Getty Images

Nathan Cleary’s surprising rushes out of the line and defensive lapses in Origin II have also played into a revamped right edge that has Liam Martin next to the Panthers No.7 and Crichton, their old Penrith teammate.

“I think six of the seven tries in game two were down our right edge,” Daley said. “So we felt we needed to make a change there.

“So with Martin coming back, [he] defends with Nath [Cleary], Nath defends with Critta [Crighton]. That gives us a stronger look … Martin’s had four games back from injury, so I think he brings that experience, and he’s used to playing with Nath on that side of the field.”

Martin has also made tormenting Munster his Origin remit and whenever NSW have won, he’s got the better of their skipper.

As for Tom Trbojevic’s credentials as a tall, imposing body with class and experience, Daley only offered that he was “considered” before Crichton and Best were preferred.

The latter’s starring role in the Blues’ last series-deciding upset at Suncorp Stadium held sway at the selection table, along with his compelling effort plays that proved critical in Newcastle’s tense Sunday afternoon win over Wests Tigers.

No spinal surgery

Despite widespread calls for more impetus out of dummy half, Daley has backed Reece Robson to start in his 11th straight Origin over more creative hookers Blayke Brailey and Api Koroisau.

Mitchell Moses also stays in the halves alongside Cleary, thanks to his booming long kicking game and his ability to “take pressure off Nath” as an elite game manager.

Daley will back Robson’s ability to hold up the middle in defence before Brailey’s running game is deployed from the bench – as was the case in his 31 minutes on debut in Origin I.

“Circumstances around how the game unfolded led us to the decisions we made,” Daley said of Koroisau going unused in Melbourne, when Staggs’ second-half sin binning upended the NSW bench rotation.

“Brailey was very effective in game one for us … Robbo will start, and Brailey will get his chance at some point”.

NSW Blues squad for Origin III

1. James Tedesco, 2. Jack Bostock, 3. Bradman Best, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Payne Haas, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Mitch Barnett, 11. Hudson Young 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (captain). Bench: 14. Cameron Murray, 15. Addin Fonua-Blake, 16. Haumole Olakau’atu, 17. Blayke Brailey, 18. Ethan Strange, 19. Tolutau Koula, 20. Victor Radley

The six-man bench Blues

The NRL’s new six-man bench offers coaches added flexibility, and a chance to overthink their rotations. Daley has experienced both in the first two games.

Haumole Olakau’atu’s recall in place of the smaller Victor Radley points to a straight right edge swap for Martin, especially given that Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has largely resisted playing Martin for the full 80 minutes this season.

Laurie Daley on his way to front the media to explain the ins and outs of his Origin squad.Steven Seiwert

“I think we’ve just got to get the best out of Liam. If that’s 50 minutes, it’s 50 minutes. If that’s 80 minutes, it’s 80 minutes,” Daley said, having noted Olakau’atu’s devastating form for Manly since being dropped.

“He knew where we were and what we needed to see, and it’s been a good response from him because he handled himself really well in Melbourne as well.”

Once Daley names a 17, that is usually how NSW run out, though he said on Monday that he “will certainly leave it open to late changes”.

How NSW rotate Cameron Murray, Addin Fonua-Blake and Isaah Yeo is critical too, given Queensland gained their game two superiority when the smaller bodies of Yeo, Murray and Radley were all used in the middle at the same time.

‘It’s a lonely place’, but Daley is keeping receipts

In short, Daley was short. The expectation is that, win or lose, this will be his last series in charge as his original two-year contract with the NSWRL concludes, and Ivan Cleary looms large as Blues coach in 2028.

Daley gave nothing away on his plans beyond the July 8 decider.

But a line or two on the criticism that has come his way pointed to the champion competitor within, which a slew of former NSW teammates have also spoken to in recent days.

“No one enjoys criticism, but I understand it comes and it happens,” Daley said. “I’ll touch on some of the comments and commentary around that after game three … to receive support is always great, because it’s a lonely space at times.

“My heart and soul has been put into this. And if anyone thinks I’m not going to be as prepared as I’ve ever been to coach a footy side in this game, they’ll be shocked, or shouldn’t be surprised because I’ll be doing my best to get this team to win.”