Laurie Daley Defends Nathan Cleary’s State of Origin Record
Laurie Daley, a former NSW captain and one of the most respected figures in rugby league, has come to the defense of Nathan Cleary, arguing that the halfback is being unfairly judged for his performance in State of Origin. Daley emphasized that the success of the Blues should not rest solely on Cleary’s shoulders, highlighting the importance of team effort in high-stakes matches.
Cleary will be making his 18th appearance in the State of Origin series on Wednesday night at Sydney Accor Stadium. The pressure on him has increased significantly after his halves partner, Mitchell Moses, was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. This means Cleary will have to carry a larger share of the responsibility, particularly in terms of kicking, as rookie five-eighth Ethan Strange, who is not known for his strong boot, steps into the role.
Despite this challenge, Cleary remains the most-capped No.7 in Blues history. Over the past six years, he has been instrumental in Penrith’s dominance at the NRL level, consistently delivering in crucial moments. However, there is a prevailing perception that he has not been able to replicate this form in State of Origin, with many critics suggesting he has yet to “own” a series.
Daley disagrees with this narrative, stating that the focus should be on the collective effort of the team rather than individual performances. He pointed out that if the Blues are relying on Cleary to deliver a man-of-the-match performance, they are setting themselves up for disappointment.
“I don’t see it like that,” Daley said. “For us to have success, it has to be a team performance. We’ve got to rely on 17 guys to work hard for each other, and we all share the wins, the losses, and every moment.”
Cleary has a 47 per cent winning record in State of Origin, with an 8-9 record across seven series. However, he has not won all three game-three deciders during his career. For comparison, Blues legend Andrew Johns had a 56 per cent winning rate but didn’t play halfback in a series-winning NSW team until his 20th appearance of his 23-game Origin career.
This season, Cleary has been in exceptional form, sitting atop the Dally M leaderboard before the competition went behind closed doors. Blues captain Isaah Yeo has praised Cleary for adding a new attacking dimension to his game, thanks to recent rule changes.
“It’s been a little bit different in terms of six-agains and momentum, and I just feel like he’s been really grabbing those moments,” Yeo said.
“He’s sitting at the top of the Dally M leaderboard probably because of that. I think he’s adjusted quicker than any other half in the competition, and it’s suited him and his strengths. At club level, he’s been outstanding, and he’s going to do a wonderful job. He’s certainly in some good form, that’s for sure.”
