- Blues half has come under fire ahead of game one
- Teammates have been quick to leap to his defence
NSW have declared Nathan Cleary has nothing to prove at State of Origin level, adamant the Penrith halfback has already shown he can stand up on any stage.
Cleary will return to the Origin arena for the first time in almost two years on Wednesday night, as the Blues begin the defence of the Shield at Suncorp Stadium.
The 27-year-old will partner up with Mitch Moses for the first time after the Eels halfback led the Blues to victory in Cleary’s injury-enforced absence last year.
Cleary is widely regarded as the best player in the world, leading the Penrith dynasty and taking the club to four straight premierships.
Some of the No.7’s best football has come since his last Origin match, including carrying Penrith to their comeback win over Brisbane in the 2023 grand final.
But even then the halfback had to answer questions of late whether he has ever owned an Origin series since his debut in 2018.
Nathan Cleary steered Penrith to four straight grand final victories but some figures in the game still have question marks about his record in big games
Cleary (pictured with girlfriend Mary Fowler) hasn’t taken the Blues to a series-deciding win
In that time Cleary has had a 7-7 winning record for NSW, helping take the Blues to series wins in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
The main criticism of Cleary is he is yet to taste victory in either of the two deciders he has played, while most of his NSW wins have been in one-sided games.
‘It seems to be the common thread, and is talked about in the lead-up. But us internally, he’s crossed most (final frontiers),’ NSW captain Isaah Yeo said.
‘The four premierships and carrying us to the 2023 one was a pretty fair one in itself. He has won World Cups, three State of Origin series.
‘We have seen it on the biggest stages we could have – that being grand finals.
‘Whether it is just taking control of grand finals, whether it is game management … his ball-playing, his kicking, choosing the moments.’
Cleary’s on-field bodyguard at both Penrith and NSW, Liam Martin also rejected the suggestion the halfback has something to prove.
‘It’s rubbish,’ Martin said.
Cleary’s Penrith and NSW teammate Liam Martin (pictured) has lashed out at what he sees as ‘rubbish’ claims about the No.7
NSW skipper and Panthers star Isaah Yeo (pictured left with Cleary) branded the halfback the ‘best player in the game’
‘There are 16 other players. We haven’t been great over the years with games we should have won but haven’t. That’s everyone’s responsibility.
‘I don’t think he has anything to prove. He is the best player in the game. I am sure he will be looking to go out and kill it. And I am sure he will.’
Blues coach Laurie Daley also leapt to the defence of his halfback on Tuesday, pointing out Cleary has won Origin series before.
NSW have received good news with powerhouse prop Payne Haas cleared to play, after overcoming a minor quad tear.
Daley also remains ‘quietly confident’ centre Stephen Crichton will play, pending how he wakes up with a corked quad on Wednesday.
NSW’s bid to win a second straight game at Suncorp after last year’s decider will likely boil down to how Cleary and Moses link, with both usually dominant halves.
What kind of early ball the pair can give Latrell Mitchell will also likely be key, given the danger of NSW’s left edge running at Queensland debutant Robert Toia.
The Maroons will have Cameron Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back after they missed last year’s series, but all eyes will remain on Toia’s battle with Mitchell.
‘It’s a real strength of his game the defensive side,’ Maroons coach Billy Slater said.
‘Sure it’s a big task, but he has a few strengths to outlay as well.
‘He is a quality player with a lot of talents. He is here because he is mature beyond his years in terms of the habits of his game.’
