New South Wales legend and current coach of the Blues Laurie Daley has admitted to why he is reluctant to give rising talents like Bryce Cartwright and James Tedesco their debuts before time.

Daley himself was thrown to the lions in the late 1980’s and said he didn’t want the same to happen to his players.

“I was probably picked before I was ready and that’s one of the reasons why now I’m real big on not putting people out there before I think they’re ready because I don’t want it to happen to them,” said Daley.

“I’d rather them be confident that they’re ready than thinking they’re ready and not being there. I wasn’t ready and I played accordingly.

“They’ve all played in big games, except for Jack (Bird). They’ve all played for Australia, they’ve won grand finals, played semi-finals. Yes Suncorp is different but players these days don’t seem to fear too much.

“They’re going to be doing it tough at some stage no doubt but it’s how they deal with when they get through that tough period.

“When that tough period comes that’s when they’ve got to find something. If they can do that they’ll come out the other side.”