MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: New South Wales coach Laurie Daley must swallow pride and seek advice

Phil Gould - the smartest man in rugby league - had this to say after dissecting NSW’s horrible performance last Wednesday night.

“I’ve got some advice for them: stop listening to advice, stop listening to people in the media, stop listening to experts on panels, stop reading papers, and sit down, analyse the game, get a game plan together and pick a team that can execute the game plan,” he said.

“Very frustrating, our selection process, I’m afraid.”

No, no, no, no, no.

This is the one time I hope Phil Gould doesn’t listen to his own advice.

Desperate times call for desperate measures – and the Blues need Gould’s input more than ever.

If I’m Laurie Daley – and I’m glad I’m not at the moment - I’m on the blower to Gus before game three to talk team selection, tactics and bench rotation.

Swallow your pride and ask him for his thoughts.

What have we got to lose?

Gus lives and breathes the game.

He watches every second of every match and – as the Blues’ most successful coach - knows an Origin player when he sees one.

More importantly, he knows a non-Origin player when he sees one.

There’s been calls for Laurie to hit up Craig Bellamy, Trent Robinson and Ivan Cleary for a chat but Gus is the man if you want to hear from someone who will give it to you straight and tell you things you might not like to hear but need to.

Game two was an utter disaster and complete embarrassment.

I went to bed absolutely filthy and took my frustration out on a punching bag at the gym the next morning.

There are some NSW players who should never pull on an Origin jersey again after that second half collapse.

I don’t want to shame them publicly but most Blues fans will already have a fair idea who I’m talking about.

Origin football is a different beast and some failed to grasp that.

But the good news is we still have a pulse.

The series is still alive and it’s all to play for on July 8 at Suncorp Stadium.

So, for the love of God, can we please get the bloody team selection right this time.

For mine, out goes James Tedesco for Dylan Edwards.

Goodbye Reece Robson and hello Api Koroisau.

Sorry Mitch Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake but you boys can sit this one out, too.

I’ve got Isaah Yeo moving to prop, Cameron Murray starting at 13 and Penrith’s Liam Martin as a must pick.

That bloke bites down so hard on the mouthguard each game he’s back at the dentist every Monday to get a new one.

I’d also reinstate Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu – he’s a deadset beast.

As for Brian To’o – you’ve been great in the past, my man, but it’s just not working out this year.

Casey McLean, Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell (if fit) can fight it out for the two centre positions, with Tolu Koula on one wing and Mark Nawaqanitawase on the other.

And here comes the most important call of the lot – Ethan Strange to start at five-eighth with Mitchell Moses as back-up on a six-man bench.

If Nathan Cleary is having an off night – and he’s had a few of those in Origin – then throw Moses and his long kicking game into the fray.

At least have that option.

The Blues have got to try to shake things up and get the Queenslanders guessing what’s coming next.

As it is, we just burn through set play after set play and the Maroons sit back and say, ‘thank you very much’.

But if you’re not going to listen to me, Loz, please take my advice and put in that call in to Gus Gould.

It could be the difference between glory and gory.

AND DON’T ME STARTED

As I said, I’d hate to be in Laurie Daley’s shoes right now.

He must feel the weight of the world on his shoulders.

And while I – and may others – have been critical of the Blues’ performance in game two, some of the abuse hurled at Loz by keyboard warriors is just not on.

Be constructive by all means but leave the personal crap out.

Do these abusers not realise the person they are attacking also has a wife, kids, family, friends and work colleagues?

Every one of them is impacted.

Laurie was the first to admit the second half of Origin II was a disaster.

But he wasn’t the one dropping balls and racking up 10, 11, 12 missed tackles.

Loz is one of the great men of rugby league and let’s hope the footy gods are smiling on him on July 8 at The Cauldron.

BEFORE I GO

I know all about one-on-one rivalries.

Does the name Paul Harragon ring a bell? There’s not a day goes by when I’m not asked about the big Chief and our duels.

So, I love it when I see two players make it personal – as Cronulla’s Ronaldo Mulitalo has with Roosters rival Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Normally I don’t pay too much attention to wingers but these two are box office when up against each other.

Mulitalo likes to go the verbals while Marky Mark is more actions speak louder than words.

And when it’s all said and done, they shake hands and give each other a cuddle.

That’s how it should be.

Those saying Mulitalo is showing a lack of respect are missing the point.

These sorts of rivalries are great for our game.