SEN’s Jimmy Smith has launched a scathing attack at the NSW coaching staff and their preparation for State of Origin Game II.

The Blues were humiliated 44-24 in front of 92,000 fans as Queensland leveled the series and forced a Suncorp Stadium decider on July 8.

NSW led 12-8 at halftime but were completely outplayed in the second half as Queensland’s spine put on 36 points to 12. Smith believes the inconsistent selections and lack of support for coach Laurie Daley contributed to the result.

“The concerning thing for me was that there was an air of inevitability about what transpired at the MCG on Wednesday night,” Smith said on SEN 1170.

“That’s what hurts the most. We almost saw this coming and we felt it but were too scared or too loyal to say it.

“The NSW preparation has been a shambles. Misguided, misdirected, poorly handled, inconsistent and they were completely outplayed by Queensland in every shape and form.

“Inevitably, and it pains me to say it as a NSW supporter and Laurie Daley admirer, but he and we have been beaten at every punch at every turn by Billy Slater and this Queensland State of Origin team.

“Why was there a player in Mitch Moses that was allowed to get ready under an injury cloud but other players like Stephen Crichton weren’t?

“Why were we ok for Casey McLean not to train but made others train? Why is there that inconsistency?

“Why do we have Api Koroisau on the bench, who is a dangerous player, but we don’t end up using him?

“Why do we lock ourselves into using Ethan Strange in a particular way? In the end, we put Strange on for the last 16 minutes.

“Why do we put Addin Fonua-Blake on the field for only nine minutes?

“Why does Reece Robson play the full 80 minutes in the middle of the field and we have no spark out of dummy half?

“Why, at one stage, do we struggle to get out of our own 20 metres?

“Why does Nathan Cleary miss 10 tackles in a State of Origin game and arguably has his worst game at that level?”

Daley’s record as an Origin coach slumped to eight wins and 12 losses after Game II; the most losses ever for an Origin coach for either NSW or Queensland.

Daley’s coaching was put under the microscope in the lead up to Game II with an article in the Courier Mail alleging players were left uninspired by his pre-game and half time addresses.

Smith was highly critical of the NSW players and assistant coaches for not doing more to protect their coach from media barrages.

“Where was someone from the NSW camp coming out and slamming the Queensland journalist who wrote the article about Laurie Daley?,” Smith continued.

“Laurie Daley was one of the most brilliant and attacking players we have ever seen.

“Where was someone on the attack for Laurie? Laurie is not that type of (combative) personality.

“So where was Matt King saying it’s Queensland journos writing absolute rubbish and we are totally united behind Laurie?

“Why do we wait until the Thursday morning after we’ve been pumped at the MCG by Queensland to do it?

“Where’s that aggressive nature from NSW?

“NSW run out onto the field and wait to get punched in the head. You have to get on the front foot both on and off the field.”