Panthers star defends Nathan Cleary’s celebration amid

A star teammate has bit back at claims about Nathan Cleary after the Panthers halfback performed an eyebrow-raising celebration.

Nathan Cleary copped it over the celebration. Pic: Fox League

There has been plenty of change out at Penrith in the off-season, but one thing which has stayed the same in rugby league is the unhealthy focus on seemingly normal acts out west which rile up fans on social media.

Nathan Cleary is the latest star to cop it from fans when he tapped his arm after a clutch sideline conversion on the weekend to signal that he has ice in his veins.

The kick from his non-preferred side sent the World Club Challenge into golden point, prompting the representative playmaker to celebrate like he and his teammates have done throughout their two years of dominance.

Some people launched into conspiracy theories about what the gesture meant, while others said it was yet another example of the Panthers being arrogant.

However halves partner Jarome Luai defended him, claiming Cleary is many things but he’s not big-headed.

“Big head? Nah, definitely not,” Luai said of the “Iceman”.

“He has earned what he has got and where he is at now. He has worked every metre for it. “He will keep doing his thing and he has my full support.

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Nathan Cleary did the celebration after kicking a conversion. Pic: Fox League

“That’s all in the moment. That was a pretty big pressure kick that he pulled off. He has stepped up in a lot of those moments. If people are talking crap about that, it’s pretty crazy because he has stepped up in a lot of those moments.

“He’s probably our go-to guy and he is always going to step up in the big moments.”

Cleary has ice in his veins as he ties things up!

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Cleary’s heroics with the boot weren’t enough to win Penrith its first World Club Challenge as St Helens landed the killer blow in extra-time to snatch a shock 13-12 win.

The Panthers aren’t used to losing and Luai says Saturday’s result was “a reality check” two weeks out from their two-time premiership defence.

It’ll be a new challenge for Luai on the left edge this year with Fijian wrecking ball Viliame Kikau now at the Bulldogs.

The Panthers missed his grunt on the edge but Luai is confident new recruit Luke Garner will make the spot his own, even if it takes a while to gel.

“Kiks has always been there on my side, but that’s what footy is about. It’s changing, and teams change,” the Samoan star said.

Jarome Luai has defended Cleary. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Nathan Cleary’s magical moment was questioned by some fans. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

“But I am stoked to have ‘Garns’ next to me. We have had a pretty good five weeks together. I am happy to have got out there and had our first hit out and continue on the combination.

“It’s a building thing and it’s a long year. It was our first game, and I didn’t expect our best footy in the first game of the year.”

Kikau isn’t the only massive loss from their premiership squad, with Api Koroisau now at Wests Tigers.

Mitch Kenny handled himself well on Saturday night but it’s going to take a while for him and the spine to get in sync as they get used to life without their crafty champion.

“I have played a lot of footy with Mitch and know what he is capable of,” Luai said.

“He is an awesome footy player. We need him to be great for our footy side this year and I have real confidence in Mitch.

Luai made sure he consoled Crichton after a tough night at the office.

“We faced that challenge last year; we lost some players. And the year before that. It’s going to be the same every year. That’s what NRL is about. It’s about adapting and evolving your game. That’s what we look forward to doing.”

There will be more changes next year when Stephen Crichton joins the Bulldogs, and Luai made it clear he has nothing but love for his good mate after the fill-in fullback came up with a number of crucial errors against St Helens.

Crichton slumped to the ground after the winning field goal and was consoled by all of his teammates, with Luai making sure he was the first one to support his friend.

“That’s my boy, and he's gone through a lot,” Luai said.

“He has done it all and he is still young. I think it’s important – being a bit more experienced now than some of the others to get around the younger boys when they need it.”