Daley backs Blues depth after Haas ruled out of Origin series opener

NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley knows injured prop Payne Haas will leave a huge hole in his front row, but he says the Blues are not a one-man team.

The Broncos revealed on Monday that Haas will miss the next six to eight weeks with a grade-three MCL injury after he was forced from the ground during Saturday night’s win over Wests Tigers.

That news came as Daley and Blues skipper Isaah Yeo were speaking at the launch of the men’s and women’s State of Origin series at the MCG on Monday with the iconic stadium hosting game two of the men’s series on June 17.

Daley did not commit to any timeline for Haas’ comeback, but he is expected to miss game one of the series at Accor Stadium on May 27, while a return for the MCG match remains uncertain.

“Payne is the elite front-rower in the game, so if he’s not out there for game one, we’ll have to find a replacement,” Daley said.

“It gives someone an opportunity to play, someone that may not have played Origin before, but we are confident we have the depth and we can overcome Payne not being there.

“If we are just relying on one player to win the State of Origin, we’re not going to win. It’s all about picking the right player, and we’ll do that.”

Daley had a bad weekend, with Haas, Manly’s Tom Trbojevic and Penrith’s Mitch Kenny all going down with injuries – although the latter pair were far less likely to play any part in the series.

Trbojevic could miss eight weeks with a hamstring issue, while Penrith No.9 Kenny suffered a leg fracture against the Dolphins on Friday and could be sidelined for two months.

Yeo spoke like the experienced skipper he is, dismissing the injury crisis and saying that whoever took the field for the Blues would be up to the task.

“It changes each week at the moment with all the injuries,” Yeo said.

“Payne is a wonderful person to have around the side, but on the back of that he’s an incredible player as well. He adds so much to any team he is part of.

“That would be a big loss – six to eight weeks, it’s the first I’d heard of it.”

While the news of the day was about who wouldn’t be available, Daley admitted former Blues star James Tedesco could be recalled at fullback for the first time since the opening game of 2024, although the incumbent, Penrith’s Dylan Edwards, had started the season well.

“He’s [Tedesco] playing great footy – he and Dylan are playing great, and Teddy was outstanding on Sunday,” Daley said.

“He rarely plays a poor game. It’s always a good sign for the Roosters and for NSW as we want people on their toes and in form coming into Origin.

“It will come down to whoever is playing their best – that’s the fairest way of doing it.”

Daley said he believed both men were “out-and-out fullbacks”, therefore he wouldn’t pick them both and play one out of position.

The Blues have had an exceptional record at the MCG, winning matches in 2015, 2018 and 2024 in front of crowds of more than 90,000 in 2015 and 2024.

The NRL expects a crowd of more than 80,000 for this year’s clash despite rising cost-of-living pressures and the MCG hosting an NFL regular season game on September 11 that may lure some paying fans from the Origin clash.

The NRL also expects more bumper crowds and TV audiences for the women’s Origin series and while none of those three matches will be at the MCG this year, Visit Victoria chief executive Brendan McClements revealed during the launch he could see Victoria bidding to host a women’s Origin game in future.

“I would hope that in a couple of years we’ll also start to talk about the women’s Origin being played here because I think that will be a fantastic signal for the growth of the sport,” McClements said.

Munster finds solace in Yeo’s wise words

Melbourne Storm star and Queensland skipper Cameron Munster cut a frustrated figure during Monday’s State of Origin launch at the MCG.

The Storm have lost five straight games and, by his own admission, Munster’s form has not been consistent enough, something that had the No.6 suggesting he wasn’t sure he would be selected to lead the Maroons onto the MCG for game two of the series on June 17.

“My form hasn’t been up to par,” Munster said. “I have high expectations of myself. I’m going into games at the moment trying too hard and when that happens pressure mounts and you think you can do it all yourself.

“Things aren’t falling into place that usually fall into place.”

Origin matches are usually brutal affairs, but as they looked over the expanses of the MCG on Monday, Yeo offered Munster some sage advice about the value of untimely losses.

Yeo’s Panthers were in a similar place early last season, losing five straight games while falling to 1-5, before hitting their straps and making the finals.

This season, those same Panthers are runaway leaders with a 6-1 record and are the early favourites for another NRL title.

“I was speaking to Yeoy about it, and they went through something similar last year,” Munster said.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to lose five games in a row before and hopefully will never again lose five games in a row.

“It heightens that pressure more. We’ve been close but no cigar at the moment. We’ve got some young boys and we need to keep believing in them. Hopefully, our spine, myself and the other three guys can pull our finger out because we’ve been below par in the way we’ve been connecting.”

Yeo laughed when asked about giving advice to old rivals such as Munster and the Storm.

“I know what he is going through just from last year – it’s not nice,” Yeo said.

“But the lessons you can learn from it, and we are still learning at the moment, they can put you in good stead for the future. But it is not much fun when you are going through it.”

Maroons coach and Storm great Billy Slater also reminded Munster that there are plenty of games left in 2026.

“He cares and the club cares – I’ve got no doubt they can turn it around as it’s round seven and there are still 20 rounds to go,” Slater said.

“In terms of Origin, those players are down on confidence. I’m sure they will look to the simple parts of their games to get those right and that’s what turns it around.”