Blues savaged as NSW fans all say same thing about Cleary, Panthers theory

Blues fans have ripped into NSW after the Game I disaster, calling out an elephant in the room about Nathan Cleary and his teammates.

Nathan Cleary of the Blues looks on during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series. Picture: Getty

James Tedesco and Nathan Cleary’s place in the NSW side are under pressure after the two stars produced underwhelming performances in State of Origin Game I.

Queensland pulled off another great escape, scoring two tries in the final 10 minutes to win the series opener 26-18 at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night.

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The Blues were fairly uninspiring in attack, apart from when Cleary and Jarome Luai linked up before Liam Martin hit a ball at pace to burst through Queensland’s defensive line to score.

Api Koroisau’s try was fortuitous, but Cleary did set up Stephen Crichton with a well weighted crossfield kick.

But NSW’s inability to capitalise on their possession and field position arguably cost the Blues the game.

Queensland great Corey Parker questioned if the NSW spine of Tedesco, Luai, and Koroisau were the right combination.

Sports reporter Scott Bailey tweeted: “I’m at a loss to work out how NSW lost that game.”

ABC commentator Quentin Hull said: “NSW has a yearly obsession with inviting Qld back into #Origin games when leading.”

How did the Blues lose that one. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Nathan Cleary’s Origin performances are under scrutiny. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Cleary has won two NRL premierships with the Panthers and a World Cup with the Kangaroos, but there’s still a belief he hasn’t reached the same heights in the Origin arena.

Last week, Cleary spoke about his “rollercoaster” Origin career and his desire to succeed on rugby league’s toughest stage.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, but that’s what rugby league is,” Cleary said when asked about his Origin career.

“There have been some great moments and some not-so great moments, so I’m just trying to deal with that and learn from the past and apply that to the future to get better.”

NSW’s line-up is littered with Panthers stars — seven in all. But the question has to be asked, does Penrith’s disciplined but predictable style of football actually suit State of Origin?

Sure, Penrith’s defence is the best in the NRL but when the game is on the line, do their players have the Maroons-esque creativity needed to conjure a try in a Origin game?

Unpopular opinion!
Panthers players are not made for origin football.

Liam Martin the exception

— NSW Blues Brothers (@NSWBluesBrother) May 31, 2023

Don’t let James Tedesco’s abysmal performance distract you from Nathan Cleary’s also abysmal performance

— Harry Scorse (@TheScorsizzler) May 31, 2023

If Blues are fair dinkum Cleary and Teddy are gone. Time for a new era

— Hux (@AdamHux2) May 31, 2023

Penrith. Ball. Does. Not. Win. Origins.

Truck it up. Cleary kick. Rinse and Repeat. That's it #Origin

— Phil Lutton (@phillutton78) May 31, 2023

Why does Cleary suck at Origin? Like, seriously…. he’s a non-event at this level every year, it’s so weird.#Origin

— Nathan (@SeaEagleSpur) May 31, 2023

Cleary is by no means the reason NSW lost that game.

But honestly....how many times has he stood up in Origin?

DCE dominates again.

— Geoff M (@GeoffM75) May 31, 2023

Apart from Martin, who played a superb game, NSW’s Panthers contingent was fairly underwhelming.

Isaah Yeo was below his best and Jarome Luai didn’t have an impact.

Meanwhile, there are calls for James Tedesco to be dropped after he looked off the pace.

The Roosters star is the NSW captain but after 20 Origins, his time might be up.

In an ugly sight, Tedesco almost had his ankles broken by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow when he slipped over and Hammer waltzed through untouched for the matchwinning try.

He also got out-jumped by Queensland forward Lindsay Collins, a cardinal sin for a fullback, as the Maroons sealed the win.

Is Teddy on his last legs? (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Eels fullback Clint Gutherson has played at Origin level before, while at risk of going too Panthers heavy, Penrith’s rock solid No. 1 Dylan Edwards is waiting in the wings as one of the best NRL players yet to play Origin.

The selection of Nicho Hynes in the utility spot bench is also set to come under scrutiny, given he came on late and struggled to influence the game.

Coach Brad Fittler will undoubtedly back in Cleary and Tedesco to get the job done in Game II in Brisbane, where the Blues will need a miracle to level the series in enemy territory.

But if the Blues misfire again and lose the series, Tedesco and Cleary could be out the door, along with out-of-contract Fittler.

The Blues have won three of the last five series but if they lose this one, the chance to respond to Queensland’s era of dominance might have slipped by.

Originally published as Blues savaged as NSW fans all say same thing about Cleary, Panthers theory