‘I'm not shaping it as a final frontier': Nathan Cleary will be an Immortal one day, but his critics can't get over his Origin record
Cleary, 27, has won four premierships in a row, has claimed the Clive Churchill Medal twice, won a World Cup and has been a part of three successful Origin campaigns.
He's on track to smash several NRL records and has been the main man in the most dominant team of the modern era, yet there are people who still point to his Origin record and wonder whether he deserves to be in the Immortal conversation.
Cleary has a 7-7 record for NSW and has played just one match for his state since the start of 2023, with serious hamstring injuries plaguing him and forcing him to miss the epic comeback win last year.
The champion halfback has heard the chat and accepts that it will follow him around throughout this year's series, but he says it won't define him as he looks to make up for lost time.
'I think that's the way it's probably shaped sometimes, and I do want to play better at Origin level,' he said.
'But I'm not shaping it as a final frontier.
'There's still a lot of my rugby league life to live. I want to keep getting better. This Origin journey is in front of me right now, so I want to attack that as best I can.
'I think I've just got to prove it to my teammates, especially after watching last year and seeing how well they did.
'You've just got to capitalise and do the same again.
'It's about proving myself to my teammates and showing that I'm meant to be here, and I'm confident that I can get the job done.
'At the end of the day, it's not about me. It's about this team, so I want to put my best foot forward for the whole week and then be at my best come game day.'
Blues skipper and Cleary's co-captain at the Panthers, Isaah Yeo, knows Cleary better than most.
It's why he's backing the gifted playmaker to use the criticism as motivation, with Yeo just happy to see Cleary back in the sky blue jersey after so many cruel setbacks.
'I don't know if he'd give it much thought, but if he does, I'm sure it'd fuel the fire a bit,' the veteran lock said.
'You know how much the jersey means to him. You only have to look back at when he did his hammy before the series last year and how shattered he was.
'I feel like he's so ready for this moment. It's been building for a few years, so I'm excited to see him back in this environment because I know what he brings to a team and how much confidence he'll give the group.'
Cleary's next challenge will be working alongside Mitchell Moses in the halves, with the Eels star edging Jarome Luai for the five-eighth spot.
Luai and Cleary have carved up for the Panthers and Blues in the past, but Cleary is excited about the new combination even though both men are chief playmakers at club level and prefer to play on the right.
Both players have spoken about being willing to step back if the other guy is in control, with Cleary's crucial tries against Brisbane showing that he can do some of his best work on the left.
'I think we both understand the game really well and I think we can use that to our advantage for what's needed at the right time and to stand up in the right moments,' said Cleary, who should start on the right given his combination with Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton.
'At the end of the day, it's about what's right for the team. It's not letting egos get in the way, we've got to complement each other and get the best out of each other.
'I don't mind, and the way it should work is that we can roam around and see how that works. I think both of us are quite capable of playing left or right.'
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The Age
26 minutes ago
- The Age
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Sydney Morning Herald
26 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Pride restored: The Wallabies' magnificent win proves they're back
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Courier-Mail
2 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
NRL storm erupts as Panthers trainer caught in ‘disgraceful' act
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been slammed for a 'disgraceful' act in Penrith's golden point win over the Titans on Saturday afternoon. Bocking went to extreme measures to put off Titans goalkicker Jayden Campbell as he lined up for a crucial kick with just 5 minutes to go, with the Gold Coast leading 26-24. His effort to extend the lead to four was halted by Bocking, who ran directly in front of his conversion attempt, which left commentators and fans stunned. 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? Join now and get your first month for just $1. 'Oh, the trainer has just run straight in front of Jayden Campbell,' Michael Ennis said. While Andrew Voss added, 'That is disgraceful, that is absolutely disgraceful'. 'You can't make that mistake, unbelievable. Come on. Have you ever seen that? Have you ever seen that?' Voss said. 'I think he gets a second shot … that is high controversy, I don't know what action you take. That's just beyond the pale … boy, oh boy. What a moment.' Crucially, in the context of the final scoreline, Campbell missed the conversion attempt, throwing the tee in disgust. Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been slammed for his 'disgraceful' act in Penrith's win. Image: Kayo The trainer apologised, but was seen with a cheeky smirk as he ran away. After Campbell missed the conversion, Ennis delivered a line that will stick with Titans fans. 'It brings a Nathan Cleary two-point field goal right into play,' he said. And he was right, as just moments later Penrith star Nathan Cleary was able to land a huge two-point field goal to level the scoreline 26-26 and send the match to golden point. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY From there, a Blaize Talagi try broke the hearts of the Titans in overtime. 'They are going to win it, they have done it … Titans players strewn everywhere. Their hearts crushed,' Voss said. 'Not a field goal, not a penalty goal, but an amazing 60 metre try to win the game.' The Panthers won a Saturday afternoon epic but not without controversy. (Photo by) In the end, Bocking's actions proved crucial, and it left fans calling for Penrith to be sanctioned. 'If the NRL cares about the integrity of the game, they'll dock the Panthers two points for the actions of their trainer. It's just blatant cheating, poor sportsmanship and downright disgraceful,' one fan wrote on X. 'Blatant cheating. That's not on, and the NRL must draw a line in the sand now,' another added. 'The Titans have been absolutely duded … The Panthers' trainers are continuously bringing the game into disrepute,' a third wrote. It's not the first time a Panthers trainer has come under fire this year, with the NRL issuing a breach notice to one staff member earlier this season for squirting water on a ball before a kick-off. – with Fox Sports Originally published as NRL storm erupts as Panthers trainer caught in 'disgraceful' act
