Former Blues half endorses Daley's second coming as NSW coach

In 2014, Laurie Daley and his halfback Trent Hodkinson ended Queensland’s eight-year dynasty in the Origin arena.

Now, Daley is returning to the arena, and Hodkinson is endorsing him to succeed in his second stint as NSW coach.

Hodkinson made his Origin debut in 2014 against a Queensland side largely regarded as one of the best ever. However, a 70th minute dummy saw Hodkinson go over untouched to win NSW their first series in nine years, walking away 6-4 victors.

Following Michael Maguire’s appointment as head coach of the Brisbane Broncos, NSWRL made the decision to reinstate Daley as coach of the Blues for the first time since his last series in 2017; an appointment Hodkinson believes will bring success to NSW.

“I got pretty excited because I know what Laurie Daley brings to the table,” Hodkinson said on SEN 1170 Afternoons.

“At that level… the boys are so elite, they're the best of the best, and you don’t necessarily need to be coached. You need a really solid mentor and motivator, and Loz (Daley) does that so well.

“That's what I experienced in camp, Loz has a way to bring a team together… and get them ready to go to battle.”

The former Manly, Bulldogs and Sharks half recalled his experiences with Daley in camp during that famous 2014 campaign.

“Being a young fella and coming into my first Origin camp, being surrounded by a lot of established first-graders and Origin players already, but Loz took me in and made everything around me very calm and I think that’s one of his biggest strengths,” Hodkinson recounted.

“I don't think Loz has to do too much different. He was coaching at a time when Queensland arguably had one of the best teams on paper to ever play so now the roles are reversed and NSW is no doubt going in favourites.

“That's why I'm excited to see him back in that arena and see what he can do when he’s not going up against one of the best teams ever. I think it’ll be good for NSW going forward.”

Daley will be joined on his coaching staff by Matt King, Brett White and Craig Bellamy.