Blues boss Laurie Daley says he should stay on despite defeat in State of Origin decider
The 2025 Origin series slipped through the Blues' fingers on Wednesday night as a polished Queensland dominated their hosts for a 24-12 win at the Sydney Olympic stadium.
It came after the Blues romped home to a game-one win in Brisbane and scored more tries than their opponents in Origin II, only to lose on goal-kicking.
The game-three loss was a sour end to Daley's first series back as coach, after optimism had been signalled by the return of the man who famously snapped Queensland's eight-year run of dominance in 2014.
But Daley's record as coach across his two stints now stands at one series win from six in charge, with a winning rate of just below 39 per cent.
At full-time, Daley laughed off speculation his job could be in the firing line after the collapse, saying he was "most definitely" the right man to continue leading the Blues' new era.
"While I was disappointed with the result, I think the players have had a really good campaign, we just didn't nail the moments," he said.
"We've got to make sure we're better at that.
"I don't see any reason why that group can't [win it next year] … no issues there, mate."
The playing group rushed to Daley's defence after the loss.
"He wasn't the reason that we lost tonight. It was us as players," said halfback Nathan Cleary.
"He committed a lot to this preparation. I thought the preparation was really good."
Second-rower Liam Martin said the playing group needed to shoulder the blame.
"We let him down," Martin said when asked about Daley.
"We are so disappointed as a playing group because the coaching staff, 'Loz', everyone involved, deserved so much more from us.
"If there's any criticism, criticise us as the playing group, not 'Loz'. He couldn't have done much more."
After his first Origin series, Max King conceded there would be speculation as to positions, including his own in the forward pack.
"I think Laurie's been great. That probably adds to the disappointment, Laurie and the staff have done such a great job," he said.
"I think that's a big part of it, losing, you feel responsible. That comes with losing, there's going to be a lot of talk, coaches, positions, a lot of players come under fire, myself and whatnot.
"That's just what comes with losing."
AAP
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