Daley to prioritise form over incumbency for 2025 Blues

Laurie Daley will let form dictate his State of Origin side for next season, saying prioritising that over incumbency was what won NSW the series in 2024.

Daley will take over a NSW side next year in a far different position to his last stint in charge, after Michael Maguire's series win at Suncorp Stadium last season.

Even through his previous five-year tenure, Daley was known as loyal to several players between 2013 and 2017, as the Blues won one series and lost four against a dominant Queensland side.

Maguire himself put a broom through Brad Fittler's previous squad at the start of last series, making 10 changes for Origin I and handing out eight debuts across the three games.

But Daley said there was no guarantee those players would remain in the side for Game I next year in Queensland on May 28, when he and adviser Craig Bellamy pick their team.

"One thing you learn over time is you have to pick on form," Daley said.

"They did that really well this year. While you have guys who played really well this year, you want to make sure they are playing well next year as well."

Daley and Bellamy's first and most obvious choice will likely be in the halves, after Nathan Cleary missed this year's series with a hamstring injury.

Jarome Luai and Mitch Moses combined to win the series at No.6 and No.7, setting up a three-way battle for two spots in 2025.

Adding to the complications will be the fact that Luai is leaving Penrith to try to rebuild the Wests Tigers.

But Daley said he would be able to distinguish a club's performances from individual form, while also having no issue with all three playing as No.7s next year.

"If all those players are available, I'll be extremely happy and I'll be comfortable making a tough choice," Daley said."But one thing you learn is you never actually get the team that you think you're going to get, because there are always injuries and suspensions."

Daley also said he would reach out to Latrell Mitchell, confident the South Sydney star would want to be involved after starring in his first Origin game in three years in 2024.

The pair have a relationship dating back to Daley handing Mitchell his maiden representative jersey with the Indigenous All Stars in 2017.

The returning coach also backed Jake Trbojevic's influence as captain this year, while saying he would wait until he picked the team before deciding who would lead the side in 2025.

Trbojevic, who played 85 minutes this year across the three games, has previously conceded he could understand if he was not made captain again next year.

"Jake did a sensational job," Daley said.

"He didn't get the time, but his impact was amazing. Great leader.

"He's an exceptional person and ... every time he has played for NSW, he has done a fantastic job."