NSW coach Laurie Daley wants to stick with the players who failed to clinch the series in Perth when the Origin shield goes on the line in Sydney next month.

Daley defiantly claimed that he was confident at half-time of Wednesday night’s Origin II loss at Optus Stadium even though his team was down by 20 at the time.

His belief was nearly rewarded when the Blues closed to within two points before ultimately being undone by goal-kicking in the 26-24 loss despite scoring one more try than the Maroons.

“I know what this group is capable of and that’s the thing that you get disappointed with, because they never gave themselves that opportunity,” he said. 

“But, it’s one all. That’s what Origin is all about. It creates theatre, it creates headlines. I’m sure everyone wants a decider, and they’ve got it. It’s wonderful.

“I know what our best football is, and when we play our best football, I know what we’re capable of doing and giving.”

He only made two changes after game one, both forced by injuries to Mitchell Barnett and Mitchell Moses with Jarome Luai and Stefano Utoikamanu getting a run.

Daley said he wanted to stick with the team that came up short this time around for the series decider at Accor Stadium on July 9.

And while the personnel does not need to change, he will have to alter their tactics, particularly if it’s a typically slippery surface at Homebush.

Zac Lomax looks dejected. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The Blues failed to adapt to the rainy conditions in Perth and their lack of ball control continually came back to bite them, particularly in the first half when they gifted Queensland possession and field position.

“I’ve got to take responsibility, because we started well, but the first half wasn’t great,” Daley conceded. 

“So I’ve got to look at what I’ve done, because something’s not right. 

“I just think we just missed the jump with completion. It really was just errors. Errors and penalties, and just compounded, and we just made it really hard for ourselves. And Queensland were good.”

Daley and skipper Isaah Yeo were not concerned with Luai being placed on report for a possible eye-gouging incident, adamant that he had only administered a “facial” to Reuben Cotter which did not cross the line.

“I thought it was just a facial. I saw a fair few of them in game one too,” Daley said.