Nathan Cleary’s State of Origin struggles laid bare despite NSW Game 1 triumph

The NSW Blues were dominant in Game 1, hiding the fact that the code’s biggest star continues to struggle on the biggest stage.

Nathan Cleary will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest halfbacks to ever play rugby league, but Wednesday’s State of Origin performance has done little to change the narrative around his State of Origin credentials.

Heading into this series there were discussions around not picking Cleary after Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai led the Blues to the Origin shield in 2024.

However, in the end, he and Moses got the nod, with Luai the casualty, despite the crafty playmaker always being a top Origin performer.

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The same can’t be said for Cleary, however. Despite winning four premierships in a row, Cleary still hasn’t dominated a series like he has done at club level and has never won an Origin decider.

And on Wednesday night, he was hardly a standout in what was a dominant Blues performance as they ran out 18-6 winners.

In the player ratings column on Code Sports, Cleary was rated a 5/10.

“Had the classy double-pump for Zac Lomax’s second try but it was another underwhelming display from the game’s best halfback,” the column read in regards to Cleary.

“Even his trusty goalkicking betrayed him, and the late field goal attempt was bad. Busted eight tackles, but will he ever own Origin?”

Nathan Cleary continues to struggle to stand out on the State of Origin stage. Image: Getty

While Cleary struggled to assert his superiority on Wednesday night, his halves partner Moses was excellent in both attack and defence.

The Eels star’s kicking game, defensive reads and overall ball playing was solid, while Cleary’s performance was what could be best described as rocks and diamonds, producing moments of brilliance and then others that were incredibly poor.

Cleary has won four premierships in a row, claimed the Clive Churchill Medal twice, won a World Cup has been a part of three successful Origin campaigns and is on track for a fourth — but is yet to put together a memorable series display.

And it is something that even his dad and club coach Ivan Cleary says the halfback must improve on if he is to be considered one of the best of all time.

“He’s looking to improve. I know he can improve. He’s only 26, he’s had all that experience under his belt which he’s been able to use to his advantage,” Cleary told Code Sports last year.

“But he’s far from the finished product. He knows that. Probably the obvious one is Origin, he knows he wants to be more consistent in that area. He’s had some good moments, but in other moments he knows he can step up there, or prove. Probably the whole team can, but he definitely can. He’s still trying to work it out.”

Mitchell Moses put together another complete performance on Wednesday. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

So why doesn’t Nathan Clary have the same impact in Origin?

State of Origin is arguably the highest-quality game on the NRL calendar. It features almost all of the best players in the league and sees the smallest mistakes routinely punished.

Not only that but playmakers are under extra pressure and the game is played at a higher intensity.

So Cleary, who at times looks like he has the ball on a string, is often the one put under the most pressure by rushing defenders.

Nathan Cleary continues to be solid for NSW without starring. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The 27-year-old also has strike weapons everywhere at his disposal at Origin level, which means running the ball is not the best option nine times out of ten.

At clubland, he also touches the ball almost every tackle, whereas in Origin he shares the responsibility with several other superstars.

That means the playmaker has fewer chances to have an impact.

It is a different scenario when playing for Penrith where he regularly puts the team on his shoulders.

Cleary knows to go down as an Origin great he must do more, but says he is more focused on just doing his job.

“At the end of the day I just want to put my best foot forward for the team and ensure we get a win,” he told NRL.com ahead of Game 1.

“I don’t think too much about being an Origin great, it’s about putting my best foot forward at training and then in the Game 1 want to be at my best and elevate those around me.”

However, despite his failure to be a standout performer, commentator Warren Smith defended Cleary, writing on X. “This notion that Nathan Cleary is yet to ‘own’ #Origin is a fantasy football mentality gone mad.

“It’s like thinking there’s an agenda against Terrell May because his numbers were so good he had to be picked.

“Cleary was 8/10 last night & his team won. It’s Origin, not SuperCoach.”

But others were not convinced, labelling him “overrated”.

“Another game where Nathan Cleary didn’t dominate origin….,” one fan wrote.

“Another half of origin football that proves to me Nathan Cleary is vastly overrated outside of club footy,” another said.

“Why is it that every time Nathan Cleary wears NSW Blue he turns into Jack Cogger?” a third added.

Originally published as Nathan Cleary’s State of Origin struggles laid bare despite NSW Game 1 triumph