Mal Meninga only has to reflect on his Origin playing days to know what a fierce rival Laurie Daley will be as the NSW coach attempts to halt Queensland’s State of Origin dominance.
While Maroons mentor Meninga has the Origin coaching runs on the board, Daley had the wood on Meninga in their on-field battles during the early 1990s.
They clashed in 16 Origin showdowns as players, Daley finishing on top 9-7 and ahead 4-2 in series won.
Daley was captain of the 1994 Blues which denied Meninga a fairytale Origin farewell at Lang Park that year.
But having shared in three premiership victories for the Canberra Raiders and played numerous Tests together for Australia, Meninga has a better insight into Daley than most.
“He’s a competitive bugger, I know that,” said Meninga who’ll resume his Origin hostilities with Daley in Sydney next Wednesday night.
“I know his competitive nature and his will to win will make sure the NSW side is really well prepared.”
Meninga’s previous Origin rival Ricky Stuart — another former Canberra teammate — wore his heart on his sleeve and was fiery and outspoken.
Daley is far more measured.
But as Meninga points out before their first coaching showdown, Daley is no less passionate and just as competitive.
Meninga says Daley’s knowledge of the game can be seen in the side he has hand chosen for game one.
“They (NSW) have got a very attacking focus and defensively they look very strong too,” Meninga said after the Maroons entered camp at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday with a cloud over both Ben Te’o, under investigation for assault, and injured winger Darius Boyd (bruised ankle).
“It’s probably the best attacking side NSW have had for a while.”
Meninga said Queensland would settle on their side as soon as possible with punishing defender Josh Papalii in line to make his debut should Te’o be stood down and Melbourne’s Justin O’Neill on standby for Boyd.