Source :- THE AGE NEWS
He’s widely regarded as the world’s best player, but Nathan Cleary admits he wasn’t confident about winning a recall to the NSW team for next week’s State of Origin opener in Brisbane.
The Penrith champion hasn’t featured at Origin level since game one of the 2023 series, and last year he was a frustrated – albeit admiring – spectator as Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai combined in the halves to steer the Blues to a title triumph.
Choosing his playmakers was arguably the toughest decision NSW coach Laurie Daley had to make, with Luai ending up the odd man out after playing in 10 Origins for the Blues and helping them win two campaigns.
Asked if he was worried about being overlooked by Daley, Cleary replied: “Yeah, definitely.
“It’s hard to look past those two [Luai and Moses] and what they did last year. It’s such a tough series after losing game one and then having to go up to Queensland for game three.
“I’m very grateful that I got the call-up, and I’m just going to have to progress on what they did last year and try and go again.”
Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary after an Origin victory.Credit: Getty Images
Cleary said he felt for Luai, his right-hand man in four consecutive premiership wins with Penrith and also in six previous Origin encounters, and would “potentially” reach out to his long-time teammate to console him.
“‘Romy’ is an outstanding player and one of my best mates,” he said. “It’s a tough decision sometimes when you need to fit three into two. I have nothing but admiration and love for Romy, and I’m sure he’ll bounce back.”
The 27-year-old felt he was a better player than when he appeared in the last of his 14 Origins.
“I think it’s been another two grand finals since then, so I’ve definitely had more experience in big games,” he said. “I’ve probably developed as a leader and also as a player, so I’m looking forward to bringing that to this camp.”
Nathan Cleary played his last Origin match in game one of the 2023 series.Credit: Getty Images
After dominating the NRL for the past five seasons, Cleary is primed to take the next step by imposing himself on the interstate arena.
“At the end of the day, I just want to put my best foot forward for the team and ensure that we get a win,” he said. “I don’t think too much about being an Origin great or anything like that.
“It’s about putting my best foot forward, both at training during the week and then come game day I want to be at my best and elevate in those realms … It’s about picking the right moments and dominating those moments.
“We saw in game three last year, it was back and forth for a whole 60 minutes or so, and it took Romy and Mitch to stand up and dominate the moments, and that’s the difference.”
Daley was confident Cleary and Moses “can combine really well” and provide the Blues with an unrivalled tactical kicking game.
“I think we’ve got two of the best kickers in the game,” Daley said. “So you can have a poor set, but you can get away with it if your kick’s strong.”
The coach was coy when asked how the combination would work, other than saying Cleary and Moses could play on both sides of the ruck.
Cleary said he hadn’t had a chance to sit down with Daley and Moses and devise a tactical approach.
“We’ll have those discussions over the next few days and see how that looks,” he said. “At the end of the day, you want to put your best foot forward for the team, and egos won’t get in the way of that, so it’s not something I worry about.”
With the Panthers struggling after three wins and a draw from their first 10 games, the absence of Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards will put them under further strain during the Origin period, starting on Saturday when they host Newcastle in Bathurst.
“It has been a tough start to the season, but I think this is probably one of those parts of the season where we can really turn it around … maybe we can bring back a new energy once we get back,” Cleary said.
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