Why one week makes all the difference to history's most successful halves combo
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai will treasure an extra week training together in NSW Origin camp ahead of next Wednesday's series decider – and use it to ensure they don't fall into old Penrith habits.
Luai's call-up to replace the injured Mitchell Moses for Origin II reunited the most successful halves pairing in modern rugby league history for the Blues, but Cleary's pre-game groin injury hampered their dynamic as Queensland held on for a famous win.
Luai has also been dealing with a medical problem, spending three nights in hospital last week as he recovered from an infection, but he expects to take part in NSW's four scheduled training sessions before Origin III.
Former Blues coach Brad Fittler noted in commentary for Channel Nine that Luai's 'frantic play' had impacted NSW's structure in a first half riddled with errors and penalties as the Blues slumped to a 26-6 half-time deficit.
Luai was one of the Blues' best as he recovered from multiple first-half mistakes to set up two tries in their comeback. The Tigers skipper revealed he had become mindful of not trying to replicate the Panthers game plan when playing for NSW.
'It's definitely different now I'm not at Penrith, and we do lean on that connection of playing together for so long,' Luai said on Monday.
'But you have to strip away the titles and all those games we've played together to focus on what we're here to do, beat Queensland. We've had a lot of success together, but it doesn't really mean anything now come game time and in the past I've probably tried to rely on the club combination too much.
'But you can't do that; you're playing against the best players in the world, so you have to make the most of every single day preparing in this camp. You can't leave anything to chance.'
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Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why one week makes all the difference to history's most successful halves combo
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai will treasure an extra week training together in NSW Origin camp ahead of next Wednesday's series decider – and use it to ensure they don't fall into old Penrith habits. Luai's call-up to replace the injured Mitchell Moses for Origin II reunited the most successful halves pairing in modern rugby league history for the Blues, but Cleary's pre-game groin injury hampered their dynamic as Queensland held on for a famous win. Luai has also been dealing with a medical problem, spending three nights in hospital last week as he recovered from an infection, but he expects to take part in NSW's four scheduled training sessions before Origin III. Former Blues coach Brad Fittler noted in commentary for Channel Nine that Luai's 'frantic play' had impacted NSW's structure in a first half riddled with errors and penalties as the Blues slumped to a 26-6 half-time deficit. Luai was one of the Blues' best as he recovered from multiple first-half mistakes to set up two tries in their comeback. The Tigers skipper revealed he had become mindful of not trying to replicate the Panthers game plan when playing for NSW. 'It's definitely different now I'm not at Penrith, and we do lean on that connection of playing together for so long,' Luai said on Monday. 'But you have to strip away the titles and all those games we've played together to focus on what we're here to do, beat Queensland. We've had a lot of success together, but it doesn't really mean anything now come game time and in the past I've probably tried to rely on the club combination too much. 'But you can't do that; you're playing against the best players in the world, so you have to make the most of every single day preparing in this camp. You can't leave anything to chance.'
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Brad Fittler pulls out of race to be next Kangaroos coach
Brad Fittler has pulled out of the race to be the next coach of the Australian Kangaroos. The NRL great had been seen as the favourite to be appointed the Kangaroos coach after Mal Meninga stepped down from the role to become the new coach of the Perth Bears. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Fittler won two premiership during his career and is one of rugby league's greatest representative players with 31 caps for NSW and 38 appearances for the Kangaroos. He coached the Prime Minister's XIII against PNG last year. But on Monday the 43-year-old said he wouldn't be putting his hand up to be the next Kangaroos coach, opting to focus on his media and commentary roles with Channel 9. 'There was an opportunity there, I'm very grateful for them thinking about me, but I think just in the situation I'm in at the moment, my commitments to Channel 9, I work for the NRL, I'm really enjoying that,' Fittler told 2GB. 'When the role came about and I just started to think about it and start planning that this is maybe for someone else at the moment. 'It was an incredible opportunity, but I also didn't think I could do it justice. That's why I didn't want to commit to it. 'But what an incredible opportunity for someone. I think it's someone with a bit of time. They need to get hotels, grounds, training fields, equipment, everything - it's a big job ahead, but what an awesome experience it is going to be, three Tests over in England.' Fittler said his previous experience of juggling his media duties while being NSW Blues coach played a part in his decision. 'I won't say I won't ever do it again in the future. I always found even when I was commentating while I coached the Origin team, it makes it a bit uncomfortable when you're talking about players and then you have to pick players,' he said. 'I just thought that got a bit muddy at stages and wore on my conscience at times.' Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith and former Broncos coach Kevin Walters are now the leading candidates to be appointed Kangaroos coach. The Kangaroos won the last Rugby League World Cup under Meninga and they will have a new coach for the postseason tour of England for the Rugby League Ashes, which is being held for the first time since 2003.
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
Why one week makes all the difference to history's most successful halves combo
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai will treasure an extra week training together in NSW Origin camp ahead of next Wednesday's series decider – and use it to ensure they don't fall into old Penrith habits. Luai's call-up to replace the injured Mitchell Moses for Origin II reunited the most successful halves pairing in modern rugby league history for the Blues, but Cleary's pre-game groin injury hampered their dynamic as Queensland held on for a famous win. Luai has also been dealing with a medical problem, spending three nights in hospital last week as he recovered from an infection, but he expects to take part in NSW's four scheduled training sessions before Origin III. Former Blues coach Brad Fittler noted in commentary for Channel Nine that Luai's 'frantic play' had impacted NSW's structure in a first half riddled with errors and penalties as the Blues slumped to a 26-6 half-time deficit. Luai was one of the Blues' best as he recovered from multiple first-half mistakes to set up two tries in their comeback. The Tigers skipper revealed he had become mindful of not trying to replicate the Panthers game plan when playing for NSW. 'It's definitely different now I'm not at Penrith, and we do lean on that connection of playing together for so long,' Luai said on Monday. 'But you have to strip away the titles and all those games we've played together to focus on what we're here to do, beat Queensland. We've had a lot of success together, but it doesn't really mean anything now come game time and in the past I've probably tried to rely on the club combination too much. 'But you can't do that; you're playing against the best players in the world, so you have to make the most of every single day preparing in this camp. You can't leave anything to chance.'
