Nathan Cleary’s younger brother turns heads in NRL trials game
All eyes were on Nathan Cleary’s younger brother as fans got their first taste of NRL action with an injury concern to one star player.
NRL
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The Warriors are sweating on Dallin Watene-Zelezniak’s fitness with the try-scoring machine in doubt for round one in Las Vegas after he was forced off inside the opening 10 minutes of the Pre-Season Challenge clash with Cronulla with a wrist injury.
The winger started the match with both wrists strapped and appeared in discomfort when he landed awkwardly outside the field of play having flung a ball back inside.
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Watene-Zelezniak was immediately ruled out and was spotted with ice on his left wrist, with the Warriors hoping it’s nothing serious given he’s scored 39 tries in the past two seasons.
His replacement, Taine Tuaupiki, waltzed over for a try in the second half as the visitors drew 12-12 with the Sharks where Luke Metcalf stood tall in his first game at halfback.
Stand-in skipper Mitch Barnett was also forced from the field in the first half and had to change his blood-soaked jersey thanks to a cut just below his mouth.
Combinations
Life after Shaun Johnson doesn’t look as bleak as first tipped, with Metcalf looking at home in the No.7 jersey where he took control of the kicking game with a 40/20 but also threatened the line with his electric speed.
He combined well with Te Maire Martin, while Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad starred at the back with a try, an assist, 134 metres and seven tackle busts.
Metcalf’s job will be a lot easier if Dylan Walker continues to ask questions with his short passes close to the line, with the veteran set to replace Tohu Harris at lock after he impressed with an assist on Friday night.
The Sharks held their own in the middle but lacked any fluency with Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall both missing, with Daniel Atkinson failing to take control on a night he and Chris Vea’ila butchered a try as they looked at each while the ball rolled around in the in-goal.
Recruit Watch
Fans hoping to see a trademark performance from James Fisher-Harris would have been worried at halftime, but the former Panther showed his worth with a strong stint after the break.
The four-time premiership winner and former Golden Boot recipient had one solid carry in the first set, and that would end up being his only run in the first half.
Of the 36 players who had at least one run in the first half, only Sam Healey made fewer metres.
He was far more dominant after the break, with the Kiwis skipper finishing the game with five carries for 46 metres while front-row partner Mitch Barnett made 95 metres, with the big men the favourites to captain the team this season.
Rookie Watch
All eyes were on 19-year-old Jett Cleary, with his parents in the house to see the young playmaker work his magic.
Nathan’s younger brother is keen to make a name for himself across the ditch, but he didn’t have too many opportunities after coming on with 20 minutes to go, with his only major involvement sending a line dropout sailing out on the full in the final 60 seconds which went unpunished.
Michael Gabrael showed off his lightning pace when he pounced on a loose ball in the second half, with the Sharks rookie racing away before he was chopped down and then had the ball stripped.
There are two very good centres in front of him, but he is certainly one to watch if he’s given the chance to shine in NSW Cup.
Hot Take
Addin Fonua-Blake and Tom Hazelton will combine for an unprecedented 20 tries this season.
It’s a crazy number for a couple of front-rowers, but they had 15 tries between them last year, with Hazelton crashing over to open the scoring on Friday.
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The one-two punch from the two big boppers will be an attacking weapon for Cronulla in 2025, with hooker Blayke Brailey to wreak havoc as a result.
Final Say
Expect the play the ball crackdown to cause a few dramas in the opening dramas, with the Warriors pinged twice in the first half.
Referee Liam Kennedy was on top of any infringements, with the Warriors forced to hand the Steeden over twice for rolling the ball between their legs, while the Sharks were also pinged in the second half.
Originally published as Nathan Cleary’s younger brother turns heads in NRL trials game
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