Laurie Daley has officially stepped down from his position as the NSW State of Origin coach, ending months of speculation. The announcement came from the NSWRL on Monday, celebrating Daley's contributions after successfully reclaiming the shield from Queensland following a challenging 2026 campaign.

The Blues triumphed in the series, securing a 2-1 victory and becoming only the fourth team in Origin history to win a decider at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. This achievement marked Daley as the only NSW representative to clinch a series decider in Brisbane as both a player (1992, 1994) and a coach (2026).

Despite the success, Daley faced ongoing criticism regarding his coaching methods and player selections, leading to doubts about his future for the 2027 series. David Trodden, NSWRL chief executive, expressed gratitude, stating, "NSWRL owes a massive debt of gratitude to Laurie for the service he has given to his state as both a player and a coach."

Daley's legacy includes:

• Captaining NSW to three consecutive series wins from 1992-94.
• Leading NSW to two monumental series victories as a coach: ending Queensland’s eight-year winning streak in 2014 and steering the team to victory in 2026.

Reflecting on his tenure, Daley said, "I’ve always considered it an absolute honour and privilege to be involved with the NSW Blues State of Origin team." He expressed pride in the players' unity during the 2026 series and thanked the fans for their unwavering support, emphasizing that he leaves with the Shield back in NSW.