‘We can go to another level': Blues halves primed to secure series win
Nathan Cleary is confident he and Mitchell Moses can 'go to another level' as he admitted to being surprised by Queensland's decision to revamp their halves pairing for Origin II in Perth next week.
The Maroons have dumped long-serving skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and replaced him with Tom Dearden at No.7 after being outgunned 18-6 in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
All but the first two of Cleary's 15 Origin appearances have been with Cherry-Evans as his opposite number. When the Penrith maestro made his Origin debut as a 20-year-old in 2018, Ben Hunt was Queensland's No.7 for the first two games of that series.
Cleary and Cherry-Evans have since gone head to head 13 times, with the latter holding a seven-six advantage.
'I wasn't really expecting it,' Cleary said of the decision to cull the Manly veteran, which was confirmed when Maroons coach Billy Slater announced his squad on Monday.
'It's interesting. I think Daly's been an outstanding Origin player for such a long time.
'Obviously Tommy Dearden is great player, too … I wasn't sure what they were going to do but I thought Daly's the captain.'
Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster – making their 15th appearance together as Queensland's halves – were clearly overshadowed in Origin I by Cleary and Moses, who were playing together for the first time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Munster QLD skipper
State of Origin: Cameron Munster is the newest captain of Queensland while Ezra Mam refused to speak to media.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Noel Callow charged with improper conduct over track altercation with fellow jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor
Queensland stewards have slapped multiple Group 1-winning rider Noel Callow with an improper conduct charge over a physical altercation with fellow jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor. Wilson-Taylor has been advised by stewards he will not be facing any stewards' charges over the matter. The stewards' inquiry into a dramatic incident at the Doomben midweek races last month was resumed on Tuesday and took evidence from Callow, Wilson-Taylor and other jockeys. Callow had previously been unable to give evidence before the inquiry as he had left the course on the day to seek medical attention. Callow has not ridden since, after being out of action under a 12-day concussion protocol. Queensland chief steward Josh Adams told Racenet that Callow had pleaded guilty to the improper conduct charge at the resumed inquiry on Tuesday. He said multiple riders had given evidence at the resumed inquiry and Wilson-Taylor had been advised by stewards he would not face any charges. • Lloyd's dad to be trackside shot at Stradbroke history Wilson-Taylor initially insisted he had not been the aggressor in the incident. While all evidence has now been heard, Adams advised Callow had been given an extra day to provide submissions on penalty to stewards, due to the seriousness of the charge. The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission ordered the stewards' inquiry be closed, meaning Racenet has not been able to report on the specifics of any evidence given on Tuesday. Racenet was eager to make a submission before stewards as to why it believed the inquiry should be open rather than being held behind closed doors. But it was not afforded that opportunity. A statement, published earlier this week on the QRIC website, said: 'QRIC acknowledge that participants involved in stewards' inquiries may submit an application to request a closed hearing. 'QRIC stewards assess the merits of each application thoroughly, balancing the need for transparency and public interest provisions with the legitimate privacy, medical and welfare concerns of participants. 'QRIC takes these requests seriously to ensure that participants can provide evidence in an appropriate environment. 'QRIC's approach ensures that the integrity of the inquiry process is maintained while respecting the rights and wellbeing of all parties involved. 'QRIC remains dedicated to upholding fairness, transparency and the highest standards of conduct during all stewards' inquiries.'
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Why Dearden will turn to Cherry-Evans for Maroons tips
Tom Dearden will reach out to Daly Cherry-Evans, the man he replaced in the Queensland side, before donning the No.7 jersey in State of Origin for the first time. Dearden has been elevated from the bench to the starting side after Cherry-Evans was axed for Origin II in Perth next Wednesday night. While Dearden's running game is elite, he knows replicating Cherry-Evans's signature top-notch kicking will be vital. "I know the type of bloke Chez is and I'll speak to him as it gets closer and closer to the game," Dearden said. "Chez has been one of the best kickers in the game for a long time and I know that I work hard at that aspect of my game, and it's very important in this arena, so it's something that I'm going to have to make sure that I do next Wednesday." Dearden said he was ready for the pressure of the occasion, which has gone up a notch after he replaced the skipper, and to own the side as all Maroons halfbacks must. The 24-year-old played five-eighth for the Maroons in last year's series so the Origin cauldron is not new to him. He will lean on spine members Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant to unlock the best in the Maroons' attacking arsenal. "I think the pressure is part of playing Origin and I don't think it matters what position or what number you're wearing," he said. "There's always been great players that have played in those numbers previously, so I think every time you get the chance to play for Queensland, there's just that extra added pressure. It's part of the arena. "Part of the role of playing in the halves is to lead and get the team around the park. "You do that in working as a spine and that involves a 7-6-9 and 1, so we'll all be working together to do that and hopefully do it the best we can." Dearden has never played alongside new captain Munster in the halves. The combination will be fine-tuned in camp but there are reasons to believe the pair will complement each other. "I just reckon we're both sort of similar players in the way that we like to run the ball and try and put the defence under a lot of pressure," Dearden said. "I know if we can combine well and work well with each other and find that connection throughout the week, hopefully we can build a good combination for next Wednesday."
