State of Origin: Fear and respect brings Nathan Cleary and Josh Addo-Carr together

Nathan Cleary knows first-hand how difficult it is to stop Josh Addo-Carr, which is why he’s the perfect playmaker to set the Foxx free.

Nathan Cleary credits Origin’s most exciting new combination to the worst day of his life.

Not that this year’s NRL grand final was the first time he recognised the dangers of Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr.

But certainly it’s the most recent.

Which goes a long way to explaining why NSW is now looking to become the first Blues outfit in 15 years to win a decider at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

With Cleary and Addo-Carr – NRL rivals only 18 days ago – using Wednesday night’s Origin II contest to create one of the series most unlikely of combinations.

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Josh Addo-Carr and Nathan Cleary. Picture: Phil Hillyard

While both Blues were outstanding individually, it was Cleary continually kicking for Addo-Carr’s right wing that proved among the key stories of the night.

Like when the NSW No.7 earned an incredible repeat set by kicking on the second tackle, and from deep within his own half — with Foxx hitting almost 37km/hr with his chase.

Then later, there was also a perfect fourth tackle kick that eventually saw Queensland winger Phillip Sami taken into touch.

Together, the moments among a handful of times Cleary turned Addo-Carr into his own personal heat seeking missile.

“How fast is he?” the Penrith playmaker enthused afterwards, having earned Man of the Match honours. “You look up and he’s ready to go.

“They were some massive plays from him.”

Ballsy plays from Cleary, too.

Nathan Cleary and Josh Addo-Carr were unstoppable at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Pushed on how said combination was devised, the 22-year-old explained it evolved largely from his own experiences of defending against Melbourne in 2020, when he would look up and see the Indigenous flyer out wide hugging the sideline.

An image most evident in the Storm’s grand final triumph, where Addo-Carr spent almost his entire night attacking within a bee’s appendage of the white stripe.

“I’ve always watched Josh at the Storm, how he stands right out on the wing,” Cleary said.

“Even when you play against him, it’s scary when he’s standing right out there.

“And he comes up with massive plays.

“So we’ve spoken about (the combination) … it was about having faith in each other and a few of them came off.

“It’s nice having that speed out there and something we can keep working on.”

Nathan Cleary and Tyson Frizell celebrate a try. Picture: Brett Costello

Quizzed on how he knew the kicks were coming, Addo-Carr revealed: “Nath just gives me the eyes — then I jump on board and chase.

“Everyone knows Nath has a good kicking game. So all I have to do it run fast. Try and get to the ball as fast as I can.

“It was good it paid off.”

Elsewhere, Cleary also said he held no ill will toward those critics who called for his axing prior to the must-win game, including NSW Origin great Andrew Johns.

“Joey wasn’t one who was critical,” the halfback stressed. “He’s heavily invested in NSW and always wants what is best for the team.

“I’d never think anything he says is personal.

“But they (the critics) can keep talking all they want.

“I’m in a position where I don’t account for it any more.

“I appreciate those people in my corner who support me and I listen to what they say. And there were a lot of people there this week.

“So I don’t go out there to shut up the critics, I go out to make the people close to me proud.”

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Asked if he was in a better position to deal with the noise than, say, this time last year, Cleary again pointed to the work he has done on his mental game – particularly with FOPO, or Fear of Other People’s Opinions.

“I think it would have been a lot harder [12 months ago],” he conceded. “I was buying into the outside noise too much.

“I’ve said before about ‘Fear of Other People’s Opinions’ — it’s a natural reaction to have that.

“But it’s about listening to the people who matter and what they want from you and what they want for the team.”