Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has 80 minutes left to prove he’s worthy of an Origin recall
Nathan Cleary has just 80 minutes left to prove his worth as the battle to lead New South Wales into the State of Origin opener heats up.
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Twelve months ago, Nathan Cleary etched his name into the history books by steering NSW to state supremacy.
On Thursday night, Cleary’s fading hopes of retaining the Blues no.7 jumper includes avoiding the worst losing-streak before an Origin match of any past-NSW halfback.
The Panthers horrible season stretched to two wins and six-straight losses with a 30-10 loss to New Zealand on Friday night.
Cleary and Penrith five-eighth James Maloney - who must beat a dangerous contact charge at the judiciary after being slugged by the NRL match review committee on Saturday - could have just 80-minutes against Parramatta at BankWest Stadium on Thursday to deliver a final Origin audition.
NSW coach Brad Fittler will select his side for Origin I next Sunday with Cleary relying on the faith and loyalty of the Blues coach to keep his state jersey.
It’s widely considered that Maloney has lost his NSW jumper to Roosters pivot Luke Keary, while South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds is in the box seat to replace Cleary.
That belief has only gained momentum in the last 24-hours after Maloney was charged with dangerous contact on Warriors half Kodi Nikorima by the NRL match review committee.
The Blues incumbent five-eighth must fight the charge at the judiciary to avoid being rubbed out of the Eels match.
The mountain Cleary must climb to be chosen for Origin I on June 5 can’t be understated either with the odds stacked against him.
If the Panthers lose to Parramatta, no previous NSW halfback has been chosen with as seven consecutive losses prior to an Origin match.
Only two previous NSW halfback’s have been selected to represent their state after just two wins - as is the current case for Cleary.
Des Hasler had only two wins from nine games prior to being chosen for NSW in game one of the 1989 series. NSW lost that series 3-0 nil.
While in 2011, Mitchell Pearce was selected at halfback despite only two wins from nine games. It was a series NSW lost to Queensland 2-1
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary conceded his son’s hopes of a Blues re-call was being impacted by the overall performance of the Panthers.
“Anyone in our team right now, as an isolated player, it may not look that great,’’ Ivan said after the loss to the Warriors.
“Freddy [Brad Fittler] and the selectors know what they’re doing, and I’m sure they’ll come up with the right team.’’
Fittler admitted last week that while youth was on Cleary’s side, the decision will be one of his toughest.
“It’s tough because I like him’’ Fittler said of the 21-year-old halfback.
“I know what sort of kid he is and I really gravitate towards him because everyone knows what sort of personality he is. It’s a tough one, absolutely.’’
Originally published as Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has 80 minutes left to prove he’s worthy of an Origin recall
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