Daley’s selections under scrutiny as Blues face daunting decider in Brisbane

In the lead-up to the second State of Origin clash, Laurie Daley was the subject of a story suggesting that Blues players were uninspired by his pre-match addresses.

Whatever he said in the dressing-room before kick-off at the MCG must have gone down all right as NSW jumped out of the blocks and seized the ascendancy on Wednesday night.

Unfortunately for the Blues coach, they traded their nightmare beginning in Sydney for a shocking second half in Melbourne.

In what will almost certainly be Daley’s last game in charge of NSW, his team must now attempt to avoid another series defeat in the most unwelcoming of territory.

If NSW do lose in Brisbane in three weeks’ time it will be the second year in a row they have surrendered a 1-0 series lead.

It would also be an unflattering way for Daley, one of the finest players to ever wear the sky-blue jersey, to finish his second stint as the Blues coach, having won only one series in his six previous attempts.

The ledger is square, of course, and Daley could still go out a winner.

But after NSW’s utter capitulation in Origin II, serious questions will be asked about what has gone wrong so far and how the Blues can turn it around from here.

Queensland were on track to win comfortably in the first game of the series before the sending off of Kalyn Ponga just before the hour mark at Accor Stadium.

On Wednesday night, the Blues got off to a bright start but were steamrolled mercilessly after half-time.

Daley had the luxury of key men Mitchell Moses and Payne Haas back in the line-up after sitting out in Sydney through injury, but even their presence couldn’t help them avoid a drubbing.

Selections will obviously come under significant scrutiny. The dropping of Manly second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu for rising Newcastle forward Dylan Lucas was a head scratcher from the outset and will surely be reversed at Suncorp Stadium.

“I think you’ve just got to analyse the game first and foremost and then see how the players play over the next couple of weeks, and see who’s playing,” Daley said, when asked about possible team changes for the decider.

“It is what it is. We’ll look at the game and see what we can do better.”

Olakau’atu has been a game breaker in the NRL this season – as good as any forward in the competition – and should not have been dumped from the side despite suffering from fatigue towards the end of the first game.

The limited game time given to South Sydney’s Cameron Murray has also been a blunder that needs addressing. He should start at lock and Isaah Yeo should begin at prop.

NSW’s use of its