Rugby League World Cup, Australia v Scotland: Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster team up
Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary have completely contrasting personalities – Munster manic, Cleary calm – and they team up for the first time ever this Saturday.
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Cameron Munster is confident the contrasting personalities of he and Nathan Cleary will complement each other as the pair prepare to play together for the first time on Saturday morning (AEDT) at the World Cup.
A day after Cleary sung the praises of Munster, the Kangaroos five-eighth returned the favour as he eulogised the Penrith and NSW halfback for his work ethic and commitment to perfection.
“He is one of the best halfbacks in this competition and he has pretty much established himself as one of the greatest players to play halfback with what he has been able to achieve and how young he is,” Munster said.
“He works hard at his craft. You can see training with him what he does on the field and off the field as well.
“I am very excited to play with him and see what we can produce against Scotland. He is just very consistent.
“You know what you are going to get from Nath. He is a calm and level-headed kid. He doesn’t get fazed by too much.
“He has been in the biggest arenas – Origin and grand finals. He has done it all and now he is lucky enough to debut for Australia.
“I am sure it is a dream for him. Hopefully I can help him out a bit and make it a memorable one for him.”
Munster has the five-eighth spot locked away in the Australian team but his ability to quickly strike a partnership with Cleary could prove decisive in the race to the Kangaroos halfback job.
Daly Cherry-Evans had his opportunity in the opening game of the World Cup against Fiji and produced a solid performance. Now it is Cleary’s turn as he prepares to take the next step in his stellar career at Coventry Building Society Stadium.
The Panthers star is leaving nothing to chance. He has consistently been the last to leave the training paddock on tour, honing his craft well after a number of his teammates have returned to the dressing room.
Munster and Cleary have contrasting personalities – Munster is manic while Cleary is serene – but the hope is that they can quickly forge a bond.
“Obviously opposites attract,” Munster said.
“He is practicing his goalkicking and probably going to be one of the last off the field. That just shows the dedication he has in his game and that is the reason he is one of the best in the competition.
“Look, really excited to play alongside him and I am sure we have some good things coming against Scotland. Hopefully we can gel and stamp our authority in this competition.
“There has been a lot of speculation on who Mal is picking at half. Obviously Cherry got his chance last week against Fiji and now Nate gets an opportunity.
“Both quality players, both kind of different players. At the end of the day, just lucky enough to play in the jersey again and see how we do.
“I am sure next week they might even play Nathan and Chez in the halves. Who knows which way he goes.”
While training is Cleary’s church, Munster takes a different tack. Make no mistake, he works hard. However, if he has a bad day on the training paddock, he doesn’t consider it fatal to his chances of having a good game.
“My philosophy is less is more.” Munster said,
“I feel like if I am practicing a lot, I feel like in the game I am not going to get it done. In my mind, if I train bad, I will play good.
“I have had some good training weeks and play bad on the weekend. I have had some Barry Crockers at training and played well.”
TEAM REVEAL: FOES BECOME BROS AT WORLD CUP
Over to you Nathan. The battle for the Australian halfback spot will take its latest twist on Saturday morning (5:30AM AEDT) when Nathan Cleary is given the chance to stake his claim for the most competitive - and arguably coveted - position in the Kangaroos squad.
Cleary will make his long-awaited Test debut against Scotland in Coventry alongside fellow first-timers Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Matt Burton, Campbell Graham and Lindsay Collins in a game Australia are expected to win in a canter.
Daly Cherry-Evans, the incumbent No.7, has already fired the first shot in the World Cup’s most intriguing personal battle after producing a solid performance in the Kangaroos’ opener against Fiji.
Cleary now gets his chance as he partners Cameron Munster in the halves at Coventry Building Society Arena. A mortal enemy at club and state level, Munster will become Cleary’s foil and their ability to strike up a quick partnership could ultimately decide the fate of the halfback contenders.
Remarkably, Cleary and Cherry-Evans have become kindred spirits in many respects early in the tour. The halfbacks have gravitated to each other, drawn together by a mutual respect and love of the game.
Yet only one can play halfback when the finals arrive in a fortnight and it is Cleary’s position to lose given the way he has played over the past two seasons. The power of Cherry-Evans’ incumbency has been diluted by time given there was a three-year gap between the World Cup and the previous Test.
Over that period, Cleary has become arguably the best player in the game, guiding Penrith to two premierships and winning universal acclaim for his performances. Even Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga acknowledges Cleary is set for a long stay in the Australian side.
The question is whether the game against Scotland is the beginning of Cleary’s reign. Chances are he will play again in the final pool game against Italy, potentially alongside Cherry-Evans as they are both given one final fling before Meninga selects his preferred side for the finals.
It has become a fascinating subplot for those following the tour, although Cleary insists it does not rate a mention in the Kangaroos’ team room.
“We’re not talking about who is going to get the seven jersey, we’re trying to build relationships,” Cleary said.
“I respect him - particularly in Origin and big games, he is a great player. It is not something we talk about over dinner.
“I think it is something built up on the outside. I said from the start I was looking forward to coming into this camp and learning off great players and he is one of them.
“He is one I have massive respect for. I think halves generally tend to (come) together. He is a great bloke. I have genuinely enjoyed time in camp with him.
“I think we just both love our footy - that has been cool. He has been really cool to be around, He is an older head and has a lot of experience.”
Cleary has similar levels of respect for Munster despite the pair locking horns in so many big games in recent seasons, be it at club or interstate level.
“I actually can’t wait,” Cleary said.
“Just being a part of this team is something that makes me excited - being able to play alongside him. Usually we’re up against each other - I play right side, he plays left.
“We’re always coming up against each other in big games. I am sometimes in awe of what he can do on the footy field.
“To be able to team up with him and unlock that ability is something I look forward to. I think we are both pretty competitive so it naturally comes out on the field.
“We have that mutual respect for each other and are going to play hard.”
Cleary’s maiden appearance for Australia has been a long time coming. There is every chance he would have played before this but for the interruption to international football brought on by Covid-19.
It is a day he has dreamt of since he was a child. While he spent many of his formative years in New Zealand when his father Ivan was coaching the Warriors, he only ever saw himself playing in the green and gold.
His chance has now arrived and it is even more special given he will debut alongside Penrith teammates Yeo and Martin.
Coach Mal Meninga will also start the game with Harry Grant at hooker, leaving Ben Hunt to come off the interchange bench.
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