Daley wary of Alfie Langer-like threat from Dearden

Perth Now

10-06-2025

NSW coach Laurie Daley has labelled Tom Dearden an Alfie Langer-like threat with the ball, believing Queensland will have more strike in Perth than in State of Origin I.
Dearden's selection as Maroons No.7 ahead of ousted captain Daly Cherry-Evans is set to dominate talk for the next week, with Queensland needing to win in Perth.
Daley is rarely drawn into opposition selections and has largely made a point of avoiding discussing the Maroons side while early in Blues camp.
But he did make clear he believed Dearden was a player he had long admired, labelling him the most "rapped" player on his radio show for the past 18 months.
"Tom Dearden is a great player," Daley said.
"He's just continually at you and he never rests. The moment that you rest is the moment that he finds you.
"He's got a little bit of Alfie about him.
"It's a different style, but Alfie was always one of those players that was at you, at you, at you, and the moment that you made the wrong decision, he was through.
"That's what Dearden is. He's such a good, tough player who challenges the line and is a massive threat for us."
Daley's comparison coincides with Queensland's first form-based change in the No.7 jersey for a live rubber since Langer's famous return for the 2001 decider.
Queensland had been accused of playing too sideways in NSW's 18-6 series-opening win at Suncorp Stadium, with the Blues defence never looking overly troubled.
Daley also noted new Queensland skipper Cameron Munster had at times also played like Langer's long-time Maroons halves partner Wally Lewis at Origin level.
"With Tom and Munster, if they're in a running frame of mind, then it's going to be a big test of our defence," Daley said.
"They're always going to be at you. With the way they run the ball they're just going to come at you.
"It's not like you can sit back because every time they get the ball, they're just going to be testing your line.
"That will be the challenge for us. To be consistently good at defending our line and defending together."
Daley, meanwhile, said the one change in his NSW side had become a "no-brainer", with Stefano Utoikamanu replacing the injured Mitch Barnett.
Utoikamanu had been in a battle with 19th-man Keaon Koloamatangi for the last bench spot, but the fact he was a reserve last game played into his favour.
NSW's camp is one day shorter for Origin II in Perth, with Tuesday the Blues' first full day together and players still recovering from Sunday and Monday games.
"He was here last camp and he was really good, knows the system," Daley said of Utoikamanu.
"He can come in, we don't have to upskill him at all in terms of knowledge of what we want to do. He will fit in seamlessly.
"He was here every day of camp and is playing really good football. For us it was a no-brainer.
"He is playing good footy and doing things we want to do."
Daley has called Tyran Wishart, Tom Jenkins and Kotoni Staggs in as extra training bodies, while Haumole Olakau'atu was also sighted on Tuesday.
The Manly second-rower will not head to Perth with the team as a reserve, instead staying on the east coast with his heavily pregnant partner Ana.