Wizards of Loz: Blues send coach Daley out a winner with masterclass in decider

July 8, 2026 — 10:45pm

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Blues coach Laurie Daley offered a final gem on the eve of Origin III.

“If you think you know what the script is going to be, you’re kidding yourself,” Daley said. Quite prophetic in hindsight, don’t you think?

The Blues went on to win the unwinnable match to send Daley out a winner thanks to a remarkable long-range try from Bradman Best that iced one of the most unlikely Origin victories in history.

The 30-12 result was everything Daley and the Blues could have dreamed of and more, as Nathan Cleary’s entered a new stratosphere with a near perfect showing.

For the past three weeks, Daley has been largely emotionless, offering up a thousand-yard stare at many of his interactions with the press. No one copped it more after the Blues’ insipid game two display in Melbourne.

But when Cam Murray planted the ball down for the Blues’ third try inside half an hour, to put NSW out to an 18-0 lead, Daley pumped his fist and let out a cheer that looked like it had been pent-up inside of him for weeks.

On the sideline........

© The Sydney Morning Herald