State of Origin 2018: NSW halfback Nathan Cleary reveals nerves and anxiety before series opener
THEY say Nathan Cleary is remarkably calm and totally composed. That nothing gets to this cool kid. But don’t be fooled. The Blues halfback nearly let it all out before Origin I.
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THEY say he is remarkably calm and totally composed. It appears nothing gets to this cool kid. But don’t be fooled.
NSW halfback Nathan Cleary feared he was going to physically sick with nerves and anxiety before Origin I inside the famous MCG dressing rooms.
State of Origin can rattle even the most relaxed and unflappable player.
“I felt sick before game one. I didn’t throw-up but I had that feeling in my stomach,” Cleary told The Daily Telegraph.
“It was daunting. The build-up, the pressure around us, it’s the biggest sporting event for rugby league.
“You think about all the people watching. It is a lot of pressure, especially for NSW and what’s happened in the past.
“You have to show up on the big stage. The nerves are hard to avoid, they’re always there. I just try not to think about it too much.
“Take a few deep breaths and then try and get on with the job.
“I saw how people treated (former NSW halfback) Mitchell Pearce, I think unfairly. It is the nature of the job.
“I get very nervous. It shows that you’re ready. Ask most people in the team back at Penrith and they’ll tell you I get very nervous.
“It’s a natural thing. But once you get out there it kind of all goes away. The main thing is not overthinking things and playing the game in your head before the match.”
Cleary enjoyed a dream Origin debut. He wasn’t spectacular but did everything asked of him.
The Panthers halfback guided and led his team around the MCG in a mature and effective manner. But he wasn’t happy.
“I definitely need to be better, you always need to keep improving, whether it’s NRL or Origin,” Cleary said.
“That’s the plan. I think Queensland will come out a lot better than what they did in game one. We’re expecting that.
“We will have to be a lot better ourselves. There is a lot of room for improvement.
“While the effort was really good last game, I think we can get a bit better and I think we will need to.”
NSW teammate James Maloney has a sciatic nerve issue but will certainly play.
Ticket sales are increasing daily with NRL officials expected to have a sold-out ANZ Stadium by kick-off on Sunday night.