State of Origin II: Nathan Cleary will join prized group of halfbacks if NSW grab series win
YOUNG gun Nathan Cleary could join the likes of Andrew Johns, Ricky Stuart and Steve Mortimer in Blues Origin folklore if NSW beat Queensland on Sunday night to grab a rare recent series win.
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NATHAN Cleary began this year’s Origin series by finding inspiration in old YouTube footage of Andrew Johns.
On Sunday night, Penrith’s little boy Blue can create his own highlights reel by joining Johns as only the eighth halfback to lead NSW to a State of Origin series win.
In 38 years of State of Origin football, NSW have used 20 halfbacks.
Yet only seven NSW playmakers have ever lifted the prized shield.
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They are: Steve Mortimer (1985), Peter Sterling (1986), Ricky Stuart (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994), Brett Kimmorley (2000), Trent Barrett (2004), Trent Hodkinson (2014) and Johns (1996, 1997, 2003, 2005).
In the biggest game of his fledgling career, Cleary is fixed on becoming lucky number eight at ANZ Stadium.
“That’s why there is a lot of pressure and it’s a massive opportunity,’’ Cleary, 20, said.
“But I’m looking forward to getting out there on Sunday night and hopefully getting a win.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s a pretty daunting beast, Origin. And Queensland are obviously a great team.
“So to be able to win and win the series would be an amazing feeling and I’m really hoping for that come Sunday night.’’
Stuart had as much success for NSW as Johns, winning four Origin series at halfback.
The Canberra coach has watched young Cleary from afar, impressed not only with his maturity at a rookie age, but his sportsmanship.
“Last week (Raiders winger) Nick Cotric got pushed over the sideline while attempting to score a try,’’ Stuart said.
“And the first person to stick a hand out to help Nick up was Nathan.
“They’d been in Origin I camp together and it was as if Nathan was saying ‘we might be rivals today, but Origin camp has given us a bond’.
“That’s what I like about him. He appears to have a great character.
“For me, on Sunday night, he’s got to have clarity in his role.
“Freddy (Brad Fittler) has been there too, so he’ll give Nathan a few simple things he needs to do well in his role to execute for the team.
“Origin is helter skelter, so he’s got to be clear in his decision-making. I’ve seen nothing to suggest he can’t do that.’’
Kimmorley is a student of the junior representative pathways, having worked in the lower grades at several NRL clubs, including the Raiders, Wests Tigers and Parramatta.
He knows talent when he sees it and the 2000 Origin series-winning halfback believes victory for NSW has the power to transform Cleary into the hottest player on the open market next year.
“His kicking game will be very important, but he just needs to stay calm - which is his strength,’’ Kimmorley said.
“If I was in the team, I’d love someone in that side to stay calm and relaxed, to stay in every moment.
“He’s not gong to be the guy who scores a Shaun Johnson type of try.
“He’s that really consistent half, who you need to build a football team around.
“If he nails Origin, which I believe he’s showing he’s going too, he’ll become the number one marquee player at the end of next year when he’s off-contract because every club will build their roster around him.
“He’s just got to handle Orign and tick that box.
“This is his test.’’
Mortimer, famous for becoming not only the first halfback to win a series but the first NSW captain to lift the Origin shield in 1985, wants Sunday night to become the start of a decade-long Origin career for Cleary.
“In Nathan, I see a long-term of Origin representation just like Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith,’’ Mortimer said.
“He hasn’t won anything yet, but when you consider who he has beside him, like James Maloney and his coach Brad Fittler, it all point to something very promising for Nathan.’’
Cleary watched a replay in his bedroom of his Origin I performance several days after the 22-12 win over Queensland at the MCG.
On Sunday night he will attempt to achieve what he noticed on the tape, an increase in involvement throughout the entire 80 minutes.
“It’s hard to say (what I need to improve on) because I don’t know what to expect in the next game,’’ Cleary said.
“But I have to take my opportunities and always be in the game.
“It’s such a fast game and you don’t want to let it pass you by, so you’ve always got to be on the ball and be ready for any opportunity that arises.
“That’s what I’ll be trying to do.’’