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Updated July 1, 2026 — 4:56pm,first published July 1, 2026 — 9:50am
Kingscliff: One of the most polarising players in the NRL has been rewarded with an invitation to NSW camp to help the Blues prepare for Origin III.
Bulldogs half Lachlan Galvin has been in the headlines almost every week this season as the Belmore club struggles to recapture its excellent form of 2025.
Despite the commentary and criticism on social media directed at the 20-year-old, Galvin has aimed up most weeks to be one of Canterbury’s best.
NSW coach Laurie Daley, who has also faced plenty of criticism during this Origin series, has been impressed by the way Galvin has survived his own scrutiny, and knows a few days on the Far North Coast – and out of the Sydney fishbowl – will benefit him.
Galvin was greeted by half-a-dozen TV cameras when he touched down on the Gold Coast, but declined to comment.
Sydney Roosters utility Hugo Savala – who was on the same flight as Galvin, Melbourne’s Tyran Wishart and Gold Coast pair Zane Harrison and Klese Haas – will also take part in training sessions of Thursday and Saturday. The Bulldogs, Roosters, Titans and Storm all have the bye this weekend.
“I love Lachie’s resilience and ability to constantly stay focused, regardless of the outside noise,” Daley said.
“He’s played good footy, and he’s a tough young kid who has handled a lot in a short period of time.
“He’ll learn a lot from being in this camp – we thought it would be a good opportunity for Lachie to come away and be a part of the group.”
Daley said there had been no need to run the idea of bringing Galvin into camp by Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould.
Daley also believes it is inevitable Galvin will one day wear the NSW kit, and every player who had been brought in to help the Blues at training had all returned to their respective clubs better players.
“Of course he is,” said Daley, when asked about Galvin being a future Blue.
“Anyone who gets an opportunity ... they can take it for what it is, see and learn and [realise] where they need their game to be.
“It’s a good reward for a kid I have a lot of time for, and someone who has been through a lot.
“Look at guys we’ve brought in last year or so, including Adam Doueihi and ‘Milky’ [Tom Jenkins], they’ve gone back better players.”
Prop Payne Haas was unaware Galvin was entering camp, but was glad for him, saying: “I felt sorry for him with the saga that happened at the Tigers. I felt it wasn’t his own fault, I felt like it was his management as well.
“He’s a great young kid and a great young player, and you can see the fruits of his labour coming out now.
“He has taken on a lot already as a kid, and a halfback as well, which is hard because it’s the main position in rugby league. He is still standing and staying strong.
“I feel like he’s a future halfback of this team, and being in here, rubbing shoulders with Nathan Cleary, will do him wonders.”
Meanwhile, Haas confirmed he would commit to Samoa, not Australia, at the World Cup at the end of the year.
News Limited reported Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters was eager to have Haas wear the green and gold, but the giant prop said it would not happen.
“I’m Samoan, mate, there’s no way I could turn my back on a country like that,” Haas said.
“I love Kev, he’s the man, but it’s not something I’d do. It’s not me as a man [to switch back].”
Stop hiding, Sam
Hudson Young was penalised for roughing up Sam Walker in Origin II, and would love to target the Queensland playmaker again next Wednesday – if he can find him.
“He hides on the wing until tackle four, so it’s hard to get him sometimes,” Young said.
“He’s a great player. Any time you come up against halves like that, you want to put them under pressure, but channel it in the right way.
“I slapped him in the head last game but gave away a penalty. I need to channel my aggression the right way.
“You don’t go after one bloke, we need to go after all of them.”
