On Laurie Daley’s first day back in NSW camp, the returning Blues coach was asked if he was happy not to see a Smith, Slater, Thurston or Cronk on Queensland’s team list.

“Yeah, but there are others who worry me (now),” Daley retorted.

“There’s a (Cameron) Munster, a DCE (Daly Cherry-Evans) and a (Kalyn) Ponga in the side.

“And that’s a fair start.”

Daley’s return to the NSW job ahead of Wednesday night’s State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium brings with it a throwback to the Blues’ toughest days.

Daley was the coach at the centre of one of NSW’s most iconic Origin moments, when they finally won back the Shield in 2014.

His on-field embrace with Paul Gallen, as fireworks went off over the Harbour Bridge, summed up the relief of a state that had waited eight years for victory.

But for all the joy of that June 18 night in 2014, Daley was still there for four other series defeats before his sacking in 2017 when NSW lost the unlosable series.

Daley’s supporters will point out he came up against one of the greatest Queensland teams of all time and made NSW competitive against them.

His critics argue he was too loyal, and his selections hurt the Blues at a time when the Maroons’ dynasty was slipping and appearing vulnerable.

The coach, for his part, believes he has changed as a coach, having matured and learnt in his seven series away.

There is also no question the 55-year-old steps back into a different environment with NSW.

Queensland are still a side stacked with a dynamite spine. Ponga, Munster, Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant are among the NRL’s best players.

Bigger questions surround the Maroons’ forward pack and outside backs, with all eyes on centre Robert Toia as one of three debutants in Queensland’s team.

But regardless of who is in the Maroons’ side, this is a NSW team who now believe they can win, and are expected to with Nathan Cleary running the team.

Blues head coach Laurie Daley and assistant Craig Bellamy. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Where once it was a shock if NSW upset Queensland, the Blues won last year’s decider at Suncorp Stadium and have the better team on paper for this year.

“I don’t think like that,” Daley said.

“I always just think about having the players in the right headspace, providing the right opportunities in our environment for them to play well.

“I don’t care whether we are favourites or underdogs or whatever.”

Daley’s former players also insist that is what the Blues great does best.

“Passion is his No.1 thing,” Gallen said of Daley.

“When you hear him talk you hear how passionate he is about the jersey and about the Blues. It makes you want to play for him.”

So obvious is Daley’s passion, the exhausted Canberra great famously came down with shingles after his first series in charge in 2013.

“All coaches are tactically great these days,” Gallen continued.

“But to be able make your players want to put their body on the line for you, that’s what sets the good coaches apart.

“That’s what Laurie Daley did for me. Most my coaches did, but Laurie especially.”

Blues coaching staff in 2004 series: Laurie Daley, Phil Gould and John Cartwright. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Tactically, Daley has also evolved his staff with Craig Bellamy brought back into the Blues fold.

Strong ties remain with Michael Maguire’s winning formula from last year, with camp still in the Blue Mountains and the Brisbane coach called in on Monday, but all under a more relaxed Daley approach.

“He doesn’t try and get his points across aggressively, he just remains calm,” NSW’s hero from 2014, Trent Hodkinson, said.

“That’s what you need in that arena.

“I’m really happy that he does get another opportunity, not against that Queensland side that will go down in history as one of the greatest ever, if not the greatest.

“But in saying that, mate, they’re still going to be tough as Queensland always are this time of year, no matter who they put on the field.”

Fantastic four take a coach ride to Origin comebacks

As Laurie Daley prepares for his first game back at NSW, we look at the four most recent coaches to have a second stint in charge of a State of Origin team.

ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back – 1989: 3-0 win)

Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland’s coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes – the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running – as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson’s first game back – a 36-6 win – was also the Origin arena’s biggest victory at the time.

WAYNE BENNETT (first series back – 1998: 2-1 win)

The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett’s Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer’s late try in game three.

Wayne Bennett and Jack Gibson. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

PHIL GOULD (first series back – 2002: 1-1-1 draw)

NSW’s most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri’s hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland’s final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.

RICKY STUART (first series back – 2011: 2-1 loss)

On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 – still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons’ unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.

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