NSW to play it safe, says Daley

NSW will again adopt a conservative game plan in the State of Origin opener, Blues coach Laurie Daley said.

The inclusion of Matt Moylan at fullback and James Maloney at five-eighth gives the Blues another offensive dimension.

However Daley said on Tuesday he won’t be employing an attacking mindset at ANZ Stadium on June 1.

“I wouldn’t have thought so,” Daley said.

“What we will do is try and win the battle in the middle, anyone will tell you the forwards up front they have to do the job and if they do the job, then you give yourself a chance to attack.

“Game one is predominantly a very dour sort of affair, it is a bit like a boxer coming out in round one or two and just sussing out the opponent first and then as you go into the series you open things up a little bit more”.

Queensland have scored 27 tries to NSW’s 16 in Daley’s three years in charge.

The Blues claimed the 2014 series in scoring just four tries to the Maroons’ seven.

Game I, at least will be another gruelling encounter.

“I am assuming with the squad we have got, we will keep it nice and simple to start with and hopefully we will get better as the series goes on.

“The first thing we need to do is have our guys understand their roles within the team and they will be fairly simple.”

NSW will train for the first time on Wednesday.

Robbie Farah has overcome his concussion and will take part in the session.

Josh Dugan (arm) and James Tamou (infection) won’t train until the Blues’ main session at Thursday.

Daley is expected to settle on his final 17 after that session.

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