Nathan Cleary’s new bodyguard Tyson Frizell

He had never met Nathan Cleary before becoming his Origin roommate. Now Tyson Frizell is Cleary’s bodyguard.

Nathan Cleary during the NSW Captain's Run at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday. Picture: Getty Images

Here’s the NSW rookies, all 11 of the bright-eyed things, partly disbelieving of the fact they’re about to live the dream they’ve held in their hearts for as long as they can remember. The hardest of men can have an endearing softness about them when they think no one is looking; when they drop their guards inside a vast sporting cathedral and gaze at the banks of empty terraces that seem to reach for the clouds from down here on the hallowed turf. A single sentence is written all over their faces. I can’t believe I’m here.

And here’s the most notable rookie, the halfback Nathan Cleary, being told by photographers to look skywards in awe. He’s faking it. He’s giving the sort of blank into-the-distance stare you get on an episode of The Bold and the Beautiful. He bursts out laughing and walks away. He’s already done the real thing, staring at the MCG in wonder from his hotel room across the road. He’s spent the past three nights being able to see the towering floodlights that will be lit up tonight like giant white candles on a birthday cake. A massive step is about to be made because while Cleary has done a lot in his career, he’s done nothing at all. He’s never won a comp. Never played a Test. And never played Origin.

And here’s Tyson Frizell, sitting with Cleary in the Melbourne hotel room they’re sharing, exuding the calmness and strength of a Tongan prince. They’ve never met before politely introducing themselves on day one of Origin camp, and the powerhouse backrower has become somewhat amused by the 20-year-old kid. Cleary has proved to be polite, but no pansy. Gentle, but not soft. Confident, but not arrogant.

He’s been meticulous in his studies of the Blues’ playbook. Organised. Eager. But not overbearing. Frizell has decided he likes Cleary. A lot. Which adds another layer of meaning to the dual roles he will play tonight.

Frizell is so dependable and valuable that he rarely gets a mention. He’s played only five Origins himself, but he’s become a formidable presence. And here’s the 185cm, 108kg Frizell making cannonball runs tonight that are going to take some stopping. And in the next set of six, here’s Frizell acting as the bodyguard for the roommate he’s grown pretty fond of. When the Queensland forwards try to trample Cleary, wanting him to tackle himself to a standstill, Frizell will try to get in first. He wants to be part hitman, part battering ram, keeping his No 7 out of harm’s way. If Cleary has a big job to do tonight, it’s nearly as big as Frizell’s.

They’re standing on the MCG right now. Frizell says: “The first time I ever met him was at the hotel on the first day of camp. He came up and introduced himself. We’re the same kinds of people, pretty quiet. We get along really well. We’ve got our little areas in the room which are pretty messy, but we’ve been going pretty well together. He’s a very humble and respectful young kid. Easy to get along with.

“We’re not in the room too often. We’re out and about and mingling a bit. We’re really only there when it’s time to nod off. We’ve had our daily little naps in between training sessions. I’ve been asking him every morning, have I been snoring? He keeps saying no, no, no, you’re right. But I don’t know if he’s just being polite.”

Cleary says: “He’s a pretty good roomy. We’re both pretty quiet but we get along pretty well. He doesn’t snore or anything, so that’s good. He’s my kind of bodyguard tomorrow night and I couldn’t ask for anyone better. He’s big and strong and I’m looking forward to it.”

Frizell says: “Some young boys who come in, including myself when I started, they get overwhelmed by the whole situation. But he’s been good. He’s got an old head. I haven’t told him what to expect because he’s watched enough to know what’s it’s about.

“There’s no shortage of stories about Origin. You see the video clips. He doesn’t need to hear it from me. And anyway, you can prepare for what you think Origin is going to bring but I don’t think you really know what it’s about until you’re into your first game. You know it’s going to be one of the toughest games you’ll ever play. I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes. He’s someone I want to play with.”

Cleary says: “I’m the messy one in the room. He’s actually really tidy. Quite impressive, actually.”

Frizell says: “I don’t know about being his bodyguard. I do my best to look after everyone I can but especially with the halfback, I want to make sure he’s sweet in defence.”

Cleary says: “It’s a pretty crazy stadium. Massive. It’s the first time I’ve been here. The nerves set in as soon as I walked out here. Just looking at the field is pretty surreal but I’m just really looking forward to it. I got nervous as soon as I got the call into the team but that seems like so long ago now.

“Freddy (Blues coach Brad Fittler) has been really good with keeping us busy and not thinking about the game too much but now it all sets in and you have to think about what your job is. There’s not long to go now. I suppose the nerves are a good thing. Tyson has just told me that the game’s about to go really fast.”