Laurie Daley has improved as NSW coach. He has Gilbert Enoka to thank

“Every time he speaks, he’ll check in and ask, ‘what do you think?’. He also knows when to trust his own ability.

“When we walked into the sheds at half-time in Perth, when we were under the pump, he was intuitive enough to know from his own playing experience what needed to be said, and how to say it, and he did it beautifully.

“Not only is Laurie a great coach, he’s a beaut guy. He has a warmth and openness and good sense of humour, which is a unique combination in a head coach.”

Daley’s ability to deliver success a second time around – this time with a far-superior team on paper – is one of the big Origin storylines.

He made a point of putting the focus on the team rather than himself on Tuesday, and was grateful to lean on Enoka, who was first introduced to the Blues by football manager Frank Ponissi.

“He [Enoka] helps everyone, he’s good at his craft, [he teaches you] how to control things, and how you don’t need to worry about things externally – it’s about focusing on what you need to do,” Daley said.

“He’s been around for a long period of time. But it’s not about me. It’s about the team. It’s about what we do Wednesday night, not what I’ve done in the past. I don’t care about me. I care about the team. I want them to do well.”

Captain Isaah Yeo loved how Daley put a lot of trust in the team, and said: “Sometimes we forget, too, how much he instilled in this jersey when he played – he’s arguably one of the greatest players we’ve had for the Blues, if not the greatest, and he’s walked the path we’re walking now.”

The Blues won game one at Suncorp Stadium, trailed 26-6 at half-time in Perth – and were behind 8-0 in the penalty count – and steamed home to lose 26-24.

Loading

Brian To’o has struggled with a knee injury all camp but will play, as will front-rower Payne Haas, who has been on restricted duty because of a chronic lower back problem.

Daley said he felt for Cam Munster who had lost his father on the weekend, and it served as a timely reminder: “how life can change pretty quickly, and there are more meaningful things than a game of footy”.

NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now