Daley believes Indigenous All Stars will do well.
Barba: Image credit: NRL.COM.AU |
Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley says it could take a "State of Origin-like" performance from his players to level the All Star ledger at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
After losing the past two representative clashes to trail 2-1, Daley said his players understood the importance of controlling possession after wilting under fatigue towards the end of last year's 36-28 loss at Skilled Park.
"I'm hoping our boys will give a State of Origin-like performance," said the newly appointed NSW Origin coach who's enjoying having several of Queensland's Origin big guns in his side this week.
Daley believes his side wilted towards the end of last year's clash because they turned over too much possession.
"I think that's what happened to us towards the end of last year's game when we fatigued from defending so much," he said on Friday.
"We need to make sure we focus on holding onto the ball and do the cliche stuff like completing our sets.
"If we do that it will give JT (Johnathan Thurston) and GI (Greg Inglis) and Benny Barba and Hodgo (Justin Hodges) and those type of blokes the space and opportunity to showcase their skills."
Despite having some of the the cream of Queensland's record-breaking Origin squad in his side, Daley insists he hasn't been taking notes for his Origin coaching debut later this year.
"The Queensland players ... you know what they are going to do," he said.
"Under fatigue and in pressure situations if you make the wrong decision, they'll burn you.
"You can talk about how you can limit their impact, but they're just so good, they are champions.
"It's going to be very difficult for us (NSW) this year but I'm just glad this week a lot of them are on my side."
This year's clash has been shifted from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, with officials anticipating a 40,000 plus crowd despite the focus being taken off the game following the Australian Crime Commission's bombshell report into drugs and crime in sport.
Daley is confident the spotlight will be on rugby league for the right reasons on Saturday with so much talent on display.
"That's the disappointing aspect to come out of yesterday," he said.
"We're up here celebrating all the indigenous talent and indigenous culture with 40,000 people looking forward to a great way to kick start the season.
"Yet in some way all sports have been tarnished.
"For us though it's head down. We've got a game to put on for 40,000 fans tomorrow night."
Source: NRL.COM.AU
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