NSW Origin 2026: Daley explains Strange and Olakau'atu calls
Daley assures Strange will see game time in Melbourne
New South Wales Blues coach Laurie Daley has confirmed Ethan Strange will feature in Game 2 of the State of Origin series, despite the young Raider losing his starting position to the more experienced Mitchell Moses.
Parramatta halfback Moses told reporters on Tuesday he is “pretty confident” of taking the field next Wednesday. Strange, who lost his place in the starting side, has been retained in the extended squad as insurance. However, Daley was emphatic that the debutant would not be overlooked for game time.
Strange was a standout in the Blues' Game 1 victory, recording 101 run metres, five tackle busts, a try and three linebreak assists. Daley indicated there are clear plans to utilise the 21-year-old's attacking prowess at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“There will be options to put him on as a five-eighth. There will be options to put him on as a 13,” Daley explained. “One thing I know about Ethan is he's strong, he's a ball runner and that's valuable at Origin level because there's fatigue in everyone. If you've got someone that can identify a fatigued player and they run the ball at strength and with speed, they're going to be a handful and that is what Ethan will provide.”
The decision to guarantee Strange game time raises questions about the remainder of the interchange rotation. Jacob Saifiti did not take the field in the series opener, suggesting Addin Fonua-Blake may be the player to miss out if Daley follows a similar strategy. Hooker Blayke Brailey logged 31 minutes off the bench, while Cameron Murray and Victor Radley also saw 51 minutes of game time. Mark Nawaqanitawase is expected to provide cover for the outside backs.
Daley dismissed concerns over Strange's positional flexibility, praising his natural footballing instinct.
“I've got no issue with where I throw Ethan,” Daley said. “He's a footballer and I think sometimes we overanalyse as coaches. We think, 'I'll leave him on the left, he can only play left side'. I don't think like that as much. I'm more of a, 'If he can play footy, he can play footy'. Ethan Strange is a wonderful player and he'll get game time.”
Olakau'atu dropped as Lucas earns debut opportunity
Daley's decision to drop Haumole Olakau'atu for Dylan Lucas has drawn significant attention, though the coach was measured in his explanation. While there have been suggestions that Olakau'atu's work off the ball contributed to the decision, Daley focused on Lucas' current form and the value of providing opportunities to emerging talent.
“I just think we've got a number of good players,” Daley said. “Dylan's in form. Haumole did nothing wrong. We just felt like this for this game it's an opportunity to give Dyl a game. All our debutants in Game 1 when they came on changed the game for us, so I've got no hesitation in promoting young guys. Haumole was unlucky, he does a lot of great things. But we just felt for Game 2 Dylan is in form, let's give him an opportunity.”
Daley also confirmed that Lucas, who replaces Olakau'atu, will line up on the right edge, despite playing on the left for his club. The coach expressed full confidence in his backrowers' adaptability.
“It doesn't worry me,” Daley responded when asked about shifting either Lucas or Hudson Young from their club positions. “He's a backrower. Hudson played right edge for Australia. You can get technical if you want, but if you back and support your players to do a job, which I'm going to do, then they'll do it.”
New South Wales will look to secure the 2026 State of Origin series when they take on Queensland in Game 2 next Wednesday.