NRL 2023: Nathan Cleary ruled out for up to six weeks, Jai Arrow also sidelined

Penrith and NSW have been dealt a huge blow with Nathan Cleary sidelined for up to six weeks, while Billy Slater also has a headache after a weekend of carnage.

Cameron Murray. Picture: NRL Photos

NSW coach Brad Fittler is searching for a new halfback after Penrith’s champion halfback Nathan Cleary was ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Cleary limped off the field midway through the first half of Sunday’s clash with the Dragons. The club confirmed the news in a statement on Monday morning: “Scans have revealed the representative halfback will be sidelined for up to six weeks.”

Cleary’s absence is a massive blow for the Blues’ State of Origin hopes after they fell 1-0 behind in the series last week. Sharks star Nicho Hynes leads the contenders to replace Cleary in the Blues No.7 jersey, with Eels ace Mitchell Moses and Broncos captain Adam Reynolds also in the frame.

Meanwhile the South Sydney Rabbitohs have lost Queensland State of Origin forward Jai Arrow for six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.

The Maroons forward was hurt in Saturday’s win over the Titans on the Gold Coast. He had surgery on Sunday.

Queensland coach Billy Slater will need a new middle forward for the remaining two Origin games.

Nathan Cleary is in some doubt for State of Origin Game II. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Shattered Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said the loss of Penrith’s star No.7 would hit the Panthers hard.

“It’s going to cause a bit of mental disarray for a while,” he said.

“Nathan is not just a halfback, he’s one of the best in the game and he does a lot for our team ... a lot of things revolve around him.”

Blues selector Greg Alexander was resigned to the reality of losing Cleary on Sunday night.

“You can tell he was in trouble immediately. You can see by the look on his face he knows it was more than a twinge,” Alexander said.

“As he tried to take off, you can see him bobbling. When it was tested he was immediately off the field. Nathan Cleary is a tough footballer. So you’re thinking for something to force him off and be so noticeably bad there has to be aa serious issue there.”

Jarome Luai also sent a brief scare through NSW camp after clutching at a leg, but managed to play out the game. Picture: Getty Images.

Penrith and NSW Origin halves partner Jarome Luai said he would look after Cleary.

“He’s one of my best mates and I’m going to look after him for his well-being and his mental side,” Luai told Triple M after the game.

“This is part of the game, you get injured and it’s how you bounce back from it.

“I’m not too sure of the extent of the injury is, but hopefully he finds a bit of comfort in the two points we got for him tonight.”

Asked specifically about the prospect of combining with Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes for Origin II in Brisbane, Luai replied: “I’m pretty excited, if that’s the case.

“We’re still another game away from (Origin II) so all I’ll worry about is my teammate and how he is right now.”

Panthers and Blues centre Stephen Crichton suggested NSW coach Brad Fittler would be already working on his Cleary contingency plan.

“It would be a big blow, but I reckon Freddy (Fittler) has already got his notepad down and he’s already writing down some players that can back-up in that number seven (jersey),” Crichton told Triple M.

“I did speak to him (Cleary) at halftime and he said he was feeling alright.”

Dally M champion Hynes would more than likely come in to wear the Blues number seven jersey if Cleary is ruled out.

Hynes was chosen on the bench for the opening game of the series but got limited time in the centres.

Other options would include Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses or possibly even Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds.

Nicholas Hynes would be the most likely choice to replace Cleary if he is ruled out of Origin II. Picture: Getty Images.

Former Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk said Hynes should be the front-runner to replace Cleary in the Blues’ must win clash on June 21.

“It’s more than just a twinge. That’s a sharp pain when you do your hammy, that sharp pull up and hobble – it tends to be significant. The other part too is the body language … he looks like he knows something has happened and it’s pretty serious there,” Cronk said.

“I’ll leave Brandy out of this one because he is a part of it. You’ve got Nicho Hynes who has been in tremendous form in the seven jersey for the Sharks. You’ve got Mitch Moses … you’ve also got Adam Reynolds, who is doing great things at Brisbane. The game is at Suncorp Stadium and he (Reynolds) knows that stadium really well, so they are probably the three.”

Cleary immediately clutched his hamstring and was rushed from the field. Picture: Getty Images.

Dolphins decimated as duo whacked with big bans

The Dolphins have been whacked by the NRL’s match review committee with Anthony Milford and Jarrod Wallace facing three-match bans after Saturday’s loss to the Warriors.

Five-eighth Milford will cop a three-game ban with an early plea for a grade two dangerous contact charge on Marcelo Montoya.

It’s Milford’s third similar offence and the playmaker will be sidelined for a month if he fights the charge at the judiciary and loses.

Prop Wallace is facing the same ban, with an early plea, for a grade two shoulder charge on Rocco Berry. Like Milford, Wallace will have to challenge the charge at the judiciary for a downgrade.

The charges could not have come at a worse time for the Dolphins’ forward and halves stocks ahead of Friday’s clash with Manly at Brookvale.

Queensland back-rower Tom Gilbert suffered a shoulder injury in the Maroons’ Origin one victory at Adelaide Oval and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period.