Replacement flown in amid Nathan Cleary Game 1 concern

The NSW Blues are staring down the barrel of losing a second star as Nathan Cleary races against the clock ahead of Game 1.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Nathan Cleary of the Blues looks dejected at full-time during game one of the 2022 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on June 08, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

After losing Latrell Mitchell the Blues were once again dealt an injury scare with Nathan Cleary reportedly battling an infected tooth.

Reigning Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes has been told to be on standby should the Panthers gun be ruled out according to 9News.

Speaking upon arrival to Adelaide yesterday, NSW coach Brad Fittler laughed at suggestions his star halfback could sit out.

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“His tooth is good, he has had the tooth for a long time so his tooth is okay,” Fittler said.

When pressed on the matter again, Fittler declared “he will play” and joked the No.7 will be out for “months”.

“Months, he is out for months so he’s not problem, he will play and there was never a problem that he wasn’t going to play,” Fittler joked.

Cleary could be a late out for Game 1. Picture: Richard Dobson

But while Fittler was adamant there was never an issue, it was a different story in the eyes of rugby league supremo Phil Gould.

The NSW coach had to organise to fly Bulldogs gun Matt Burton to Adelaide, and Gould, who is head of football at the Canterbury-based club, explained “there was a sense of urgency”.

“There’s obviously something there,” rugby league legend Paul Gallen said on 100% Footy.

“If it is infection and the infection runs through his system it can be quite serious, but the extent I don’t know,” Gould said.

“I spoke to Brad Fittler twice today because we had to arrange for Matt Burton to get down there quite quickly, and there was a sense of urgency.

“I said ‘why is it so urgent we get him on that flight and not the next one?’

“He said ‘look, Nathan is in some doubt and I’d like him to have a run with Nicho and Burto and Jarome in the same side’, that’s where they were with that.”

In the case Cleary is ruled out, Hynes will come into the halfback role with Matt Burton playing as the utility off the bench.

Originally published as Replacement flown in amid Nathan Cleary Game 1 concern