NRL legend Laurie Daley has dropped 8kg since giving up alcohol because his doctor warned him he was at risk of suffering serious health issues.
The 56-year-old – who carved out a reputation as one of the true greats of the game in a stellar 13-season career with the Canberra Raiders – has also cleaned up his diet since getting the news.
Daley’s weight had increased to close to 100kg when he decided to go teetotal after being warned he was ‘in danger of developing concerning conditions’, he told the SMH.
Dropping grog and improving his eating habits has left him below the weight he played at as he clocked up 246 games for the Raiders as well as starring for NSW and Australia.
‘My wife has asked me not to lose any more weight because she said it makes my nose look bigger,’ Daley joked.
The health changes can only help the NSW Blues coach as he seeks to get revenge on Queensland for last year’s series loss when the first match of the interstate rivalry kicks off on May 27.
A slimmed-down Laurie Daley is seen with NSW star Isaah Yeo three weeks ago. The Raiders, Blues and Kangaroos legend has sworn off alcohol and changed his diet after getting a warning from his doctor
Daley (pictured) has dropped below his playing weight after shedding eight kilos as a result of the changes
‘It took me a couple of weeks to get over it [the 2-1 loss]. We know what we did wrong and we have learned from it,’ Daley said.
He will now be sweating on the availability of some big names with the teams due to be named on Monday.
Latrell Mitchell threw a scare into the NSW camp when he came off injured in Souths’ loss to the Dolphins on Friday night, but the Bunnies star is set to be selected despite his back issue.
The newly-expanded six-man bench will mean there is cover for Mitchell in camp should he need to sit out of sessions.
Zac Lomax’s code switch and injuries to Jacob Kiraz, Tom Trbojevic and Mark Nawaqanitawase have left the Blues short on elite wing options for Origin I.
Josh Addo-Carr is considered a leading contender alongside Penrith ace Brian To’o.
The 30-year-old has revived his career since joining the Eels in 2025, earning selection in all three matches of Australia’s 3-0 Ashes whitewash last year.
After the final day of Magic Round on Sunday, the coach will need to determine whether to hand the fullback spot to incumbent No.1 Dylan Edwards or former Blues captain James Tedesco.
‘Loz’ is itching to get revenge for losing last year’s Origin series to Queensland
Latrell Mitchell threw a scare into Daley and the rest of the NSW camp when he came off injured against the Dolphins on Friday (pictured)
Jackson Ford, Addin Fonua-Blake and Ethan Strange are among those considered in the frame for Origin debuts.
A wealth of talent also leaves Daley to consider which two of Hudson Young, Haumole Olakau’atu, Angus Crichton and Jacob Preston should be starting in the second row.
Manly powerhouse Olakau’atu made a compelling case for a NSW recall as speedster Tolutau Koula also gave Laurie Daley a timely reminder in the Sea Eagles’ 46-18 whipping of Wests Tigers on Saturday.
Olakau’atu is in career-best form and was a fearsome prospect on the right edge where he terrorised the Tigers’ defence in what was a virtual perfect performance at Suncorp Stadium.
It appears a fait accompli that the towering second-rower will soon add to the two State of Origin matches he played in 2024.
‘I don’t think he can do any more. Haumole has been outstanding the whole season and our near-best player each and every week,’ beaming Manly coach Kieran Foran said.
‘I thought the guys set the game up in the first 20 minutes, physically. There was plenty of intent and they got the reward.’
