Luke Keary heaps the pressure on James Maloney in State of Origin race
Luke Keary’s stellar display against Manly on Saturday night has good judges thinking he can steal the New South Wales five-eighth spot from James Maloney.
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Luke Keary’s sensational start to the season is putting pressure on James Maloney, not Nathan Cleary, to keep his place in the NSW team.
That is the view of former NSW five-eighth Braith Anasta who was super impressed with the respective performances of Maloney and Keary on the weekend, but believes ultimately there will be only room for one in Brad Fittler’s team.
Backing up from last year’s Clive Churchill Medal-winning grand final performance, Keary produced another effort Anasta agreed was Andrew Johns-like in its dominance.
Especially given the fact the Sydney Roosters were without halfback Cooper Cronk and hooker Jake Friend against Manly.
“It was (Johns-like),” Anasta said.
“Keary was unbelievable.
“Four try assists in the first half and the game was over without Friend and Cronk, his nine and seven. And in the grand final, remember, he was the Clive Churchill Medal winner, and that was without Cronk who was there, but he wasn’t, if you know what I mean.
“Keary is head and shoulders (above the rest) right now. I have him at No.1 in halves in the competition, easily.”
Anasta said what made Keary’s performance extra special on Saturday night was the conditions the game at Lottoland was played in.
“You are talking about torrential rain,” Anasta added.
“Honestly, some of those plays are hard enough to do when it is dry.
“His performance was world-class.”
Maloney was also the star of Penrith’s gutsy win over Newcastle, with his defence in particular having a huge impact on the result.
Maloney came up with some inspirational tackles but none better than the try-saving
effort when he stripped Edrick Lee of possession over the line.
But Anasta also pointed out the week earlier against Parramatta Maloney’s defence was not near as good, and Anasta said the Panther needs to show consistency.
Fittler probably has the best choice of halves contenders since he was playing in the NSW No.6 jumper alongside Johns all those years ago.
South Sydney pairing Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker also have had outstanding starts to the season and have to be in the mix.
Given the Blues won the Origin series last year, Anasta said no doubt Fittler would feel a degree of loyalty.
“But how do you leave Keary out at the moment?” Anasta said.
“I know it is early and I suppose it all depends on Cleary and Maloney and the Panthers.
“If they shine in the next three or four weeks and really reach the heights everyone is predicting, they will it will be hard not to pick them.
“But to be honest, Keary and Cleary would be a great combination.
“Cleary is very well balanced, he has great composure and is really good at getting the structure and game plan on.
“And Keary has that X-factor. He can do both (run the ball and take control).
“That is the great versatility about Keary.”