Laurie Daley Fires Up The Blues With Day Trip To Tweed Regional Gallery and Shambhala Gardens

KEITH T. DENNETT | New South | CONTACT

In news fresh out of Blues camp, the NSW side are feeling extra fired up this weekend after experiencing a nice tranquil day trip through the Byron hinterlands.

With only a few sleeps left before the Game III decider at the Cathedral of Queensland, Suncorp Stadium, insiders have leaked that coach Laurie Daley has decided to take the team for a private viewing at the Tweed Regional Art Gallery, followed by a walk through Crystal Castle’s Shambhala Gardens.

After a week of intense training, which mainly consisted of games of bullrush, tunnel ball and some passing drills, it’s believed coach Laurie Daley decided he’d take his players on an inspiring outing to remind them what it means to play for the state of New South Wales.

Speaking to the FoxSports NRL 360 panel, Daley has told the show that today's excursion through the winding hills of Murwillumbah has really put fire in everyone’s bellies.

“I think in Game II we struggled to match Queensland with their intensity on the field, so this camp is all about lighting the fuse and getting the boys ready to rip some heads off,” said Daley, out the front of the Tweed Regional Art Gallery.

“There are some fantastic works in this gallery, particularly some beautiful still life and interior paintings by the wonderful Margaret Olley."

"I certainly got a little misty eyed in there.”

It’s a stark contrast to the schedule of the Queensland Maroons, who this week have been busy touring regional areas, meeting local battlers to remind themselves why they play for the great north state.

In a brief discussion with Queensland mastermind Billy Slater, the Maroons have been toiling on local community projects.

“An art gallery? Really? Each to their own I guess"

"I’ve put the boys to work in Mackay and we’ve built two orphanages and a hospital.”

“You should see Patty and Harry Grant shifting bricks for the good people of North Queensland, the whole team has volunteered to come back and finish the job after we take home the shield.”