Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley is considering a major pre-game change for next week's State of Origin decider in order to prevent a repeat of their slow start in Game Two.Rather than using the underground tunnel that connects the NSWRL Centre of Excellence to Accor Stadium, the side is likely to complete a traditional warm up and enter to the field via the western tunnel.The Blues produced a lacklustre first half at Optus Stadium to trail 26-6 at half-time. While they came roaring back in the second 40, it was ultimately too little too late and Queensland held on to set up a decider next Wednesday night.The performance triggered a detailed review by the NSW coaching staff and prompted Daley to look into adjusting the side's pre-game routine.Up Next / Cancel Replay Play Next Blues take the tunnel to Origin deciderThe Blues have warmed up at the adjacent NSWRL Centre of Excellence before entering Accor Stadium via an underground tunnel for the past six years.The four-minute walk to the ground was one of the most spectacular entrances in Australian sport and led to scenes reminiscent of US college football as the tension built before the side ran on to the field in front of more than 80,000 screaming Blues fans.Daley, however, is eager to simplify the pre-game schedule and the unique arrival is unlikely to be used next Wednesday night.The Blues are now set to travel straight from the team hotel to the ground and complete their warmup inside the dressing sheds at Accor Stadium before entering through the standard tunnel.The change was first floated prior to the start of the series and Daley hopes it helps the players focus purely on their preparation.Up Next / Cancel Replay Play Next NSW Blues named for Origin III in Sydney"We just want to get over there and be a part of it instead of walking over there [after the warmup]," Daley told NRL.com. "I like getting on a bus and going to a game rather than walking to a game."That's what it is. I'd rather jump on a bus, leave the hotel and go from there and hopefully it's a smoother preparation."The Blues entered the second game of the series as heavy favourites, however they were blown off the park early by Queensland.While Brian To'o opened the scoring in the sixth minute, the Maroons went on to score four straight tries to take a 20-point lead heading into half-time.NSW made seven errors and conceded eight penalties in a 40-minute performance that ultimately cost them the game.Up Next / Cancel Replay Play Next Maroons v Blues – Game 2, 2025Back-rower Angus Crichton conceded Queensland got the jump on the Blues at Optus Stadium and declared it won't happen again next week."That was where we lacked in that last game," Crichton said. "We need to make sure we're ready to go and we need to be more emotional. We need to be more aggressive in that first half."Crichton played a key role in the Blues' drought-breaking victory in last year's decider at Suncorp Stadium, however much has changed since that win.Daley has returned for his second stint in charge after Michael Maguire left to join the Broncos.
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