LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley is contemplating a significant pre-game change for the upcoming State of Origin decider to avoid a repeat of their sluggish start in Game Two.
Reports from nrl.com.au indicate that instead of using the underground tunnel connecting the NSWRL Centre of Excellence to Accor Stadium, the team may opt for a traditional warm-up and enter the field via the western tunnel.
In Game Two, the Blues struggled in the first half, trailing 26-6 at halftime.
Although they mounted a strong comeback in the second half, it wasn't enough, and Queensland managed to hold on for a win, setting the stage for a decisive match next Wednesday night.
This performance led to a thorough review by the NSW coaching staff and prompted Daley to consider modifications to the team's pre-game routine.
The four-minute walk from the warm-up area to the ground has historically been one of the most remarkable entrances in Australian sports, evoking scenes often seen in US college football, and heightening the drama before the team takes the field in front of over 80,000 passionate Blues supporters.