Daley to organise ‘clutch’ sessions

NSW coach Laurie Daley will organise a special “clutch” meeting in Coffs Harbour to ensure his team doesn’t falter at the final hurdle like it did in State of Origin I.

The Blues were heavily criticised for choking at the death in the series opener last month, when they on Tuesday failed to come up with the match-winning play when it was presented.

NSW ran the ball twice in the same set when offered opportunities to pot a field goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Instead, Queensland’s ice-man Cooper Cronk expertly slotted the decisive field goal in the 74th minute to steal the Maroons an 11-10 win at ANZ Stadium.

The Blues had one final chance to level the game in the closing moments, however hooker Robbie Farah admitted he flung the ball to the wrong man in Josh Dugan, whose ad lib attempt sailed wide.

Daley said that he would spend part of their preparation at their Coffs Harbour base this week trying to improve on their decision-making in money time ahead of Game II at the MCG on Wednesday week.

“We’ll definitely discuss it. It’s just about how we manage the game and what we’re thinking,” Daley said.

“The easy way for that to happen is when they go back to their clubs, and when they’re in those situations to think about it and start preparing.

“We’ll certainly discuss the second half and what we have to do late in the game, depending on what the situation is.”

The Blues led 10-6 at halftime in Origin I, but spent most of the second half camped on their own tryline and defending a Maroons team that piled on attacking set after attacking set.

Daley said he was excited at the prospect of making adjustments to ensure a second half onslaught doesn’t happen again.

“It’s hard in an Origin to score points from coming off your tryline,” he said.

“You’ve got to spend a bit of time down the other end. I think it was 20 minutes without playing the ball inside their 20.

“It was a difficult one, but one we need to get better at and we will be better at.

“It’s exciting, because I know what this group can do.”

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