NSW Blues Admit They’ve Got Nothing To Lose, May As Well Give Hoppa A Crack As Coach

CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

The NSW Blues have once again proven their ability to snatch a loss from the jaws of victory, and will continue doing so until something drastic happens.

This comes after the nation witnessed an electrified Queensland side absolutely dominating the Blues 24-12 at home.

This was not expected to be Queensland’s year, with veteran NRL coach Laurie Daley coaching one of the most stacked Blues sides in recent memory.

NSW appeared to be on track for a three-match whitewash after a confident game-one victory in Brisbane. The fact that they scored more tries than their opponents in Origin II, and only lost on goal-kicking, also instilled hope that last night was going to result in a series win for the Blues.

This was not to be, as Daley’s team of superstars collapsed under the bright lights, and left themselves wide open to being clinically dismantled by a rag-tag Queensland side of veterans and surprise debutants.

Right across the state of New South Wales, there has been a lot of soul-searching taking place today – as long-suffering Blues fans begin asking themselves if they will ever recapture that winning culture that defined the state’s rugby league side in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

With Queensland playing for too good for referees to be blamed, frustrations have since been directed at certain players and the coach.

It is not yet known if Laurie Daley will be returning to his role in 2026, but even the most risk-averse administrators in the upper echelons of NSW rugby league realise something needs to change. Anything.

A radical plan, perhaps borne out of sheer desperation and existential dread, has since been proposed.

Should the Blues give up on this dapper and sophisticated rebrand that was first pioneered by Brad Fittler during the pandemic, and just lean into their inner rugby league grubbiness?

Should they recruit a new coach that does not give a flying fuck about optics. A man that has proven that he will do whatever possible to win. Even if that means burning bridges and recieving lifetime bans from multiple venues?

Is it time to give John Hopoate a crack as Blues coach?

Why the hell not.