Penrith coach Ivan Cleary clarifies why he has in NSW coaches’ box

The presence of a premiership winning coach in the NSW box last Wednesday sparked all sorts of rumours with Blues coach Brad Fittler under the pump.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary says he loved being in the box to help Brad Fittler and the Blues salvage some State of Origin pride last week, but described his influence on the team as a “non-story”.

Cleary was a surprise figure in the NSW coach’s box for the dead rubber at Accor Stadium which the Blues won 24-10 to avoid the first series sweep since 2010.

Fittler brushed off questions when asked about it after the game, and Cleary didn’t want it to be a big issue on Monday morning, dismissing suggestions it was a possible audition for the top job.

“This is not a story,” he said several times, heaping all the praise on his good friend for coaching the Blues to victory after his role was scrutinised throughout the series.

“I was really fortunate and quite humbled to be able to sit in the box with Freddy. I really enjoyed the night. I loved it.

“We played together 25 years ago and have known each other a long time. He asked me to go in and I thought it would be some good education for me. If I could help along the way then that would be good.

“I sat back in the cheap seats – actually, they’re not that cheap – and really enjoyed the night. I learnt a bit, myself.

“I sit in the coach’s box every week and do my role, but it’s been a while since I’ve been an assistant coach, not since the New Zealand team 10 years ago. It was a different perspective being able to sit there with all care and no responsibility.”

NSW coach Brad Fittler invited Ivan Cleary to join him for game III. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Cleary’s role remains somewhat of a mystery, but it’s clear that whatever he did helped the Blues bounce back after their attack failed to fire in the first two games.

“I didn’t do anything. Freddy was in control,” he said.

“It’s pretty clear that the team followed the game plan which probably didn’t happen in the first couple of games. I was really happy for him because I think he’s done a great job over the six years.”

Cleary’s focus now shifts to phase three of the season, with the Panthers looking like the team to beat as they push for a third premiership in as many years.

The two-time defending champions are on top of the ladder and had the luxury of resting their Origin stars in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins.

The Panthers are expected to smash the Bulldogs this weekend in their first meeting with former assistant coach Cameron Ciraldo, whose job gets even tougher with Penrith set to welcome back Nathan Cleary from a hamstring injury.

The star halfback hasn’t played since he got hurt in Round 14 just days after the Origin opener, which is one of the reasons why the Panthers have rested their rep players since then.

Nathan Cleary hasn’t played since Round 14 . (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Ivan Cleary said backing up was “a noble concept but might be slightly outdated”, with the Panthers set to benefit from giving their best players the week off.

The coach said the month off “wouldn’t hurt” his son after a taxing 2022 that saw him help the Kangaroos win the World Cup after an already long campaign.

The gifted playmaker will definitely return on Sunday after going close last week, with his dad hinting that the rep stars will likely avoid any more rests as they push for another title.

“That was the game we planned for him to come back, and he did everything last week,” Cleary said.

“But it was probably the week before that held him back where everyone had it off in both grades so he didn’t get the full team type training in, whereas he got it all in last week and it was probably too much load in the end.”