A crisis of confidence and a lack of attacking threat in the air were the main factors behind NSW coach Laurie Daley's shock call to axe dependable Blues winger Brian To'o.
As Daley defended his decision to back struggling five-eighth Mitchell Moses for the game-three Origin decider in Brisbane on July 8, the Blues coach explained why he had to drop To'o.
The Penrith winger, who has played every Origin game since his debut in 2021, could lay claim to being the greatest winger of the last decade.
But To'o has been way below par during this year's series and made a handful of uncharacteristic handling errors across games one and two, prompting Daley to hand Dolphins youngster Jack Bostock a spot on the wing.
"We were just looking at maybe a different option with the ball in the air to attack with," Daley said.
"But also today's game, because there are so many more contested possessions you've got to be able to obviously get off the ground, catch the ball, and make it a contest.
"It was more just 'Bizza' gives us something different to what Jack will give us, but we just think for game three, that's the way to go."
Daley described To'o as being "down on confidence" and said calling the winger to drop him was particularly tough.
"I think someone said (it's) 17-straight Origin games and he's a Brad Fittler Medal winner," Daley said.
"He brings so much energy and he brings a lot to the footy team… he was supportive of the team and he obviously wants to see us do well."
To'o's omission comes as Daley welcomed centres Bradman Best and Stephen Crichton back into a rejigged backline.
But his decision to give Moses a vote of confidence could come to define the coach's second coming in charge of the state.
Canberra's Ethan Strange was one of the Blues' best performers when Moses missed Origin I with a hamstring injury.
Moses barely trained in the lead-up to game two and was below his best as the Maroons squared the series.
"I think he just brings confidence to the team, he's a player that provides a good kicking game for us," Daley said.
"He's a guy that takes a bit of pressure off Nath (Nathan Cleary) and I've got trust and belief in him, so he'll get the job done."
