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Cleary warns NSW's halves about to hit new highs
Nathan Cleary has declared his combination with Mitch Moses can go to another level in Perth, with NSW to benefit from a largely unchanged squad.
Coach Laurie Daley will announce his team for State of Origin II on Monday night, with Stefano Utoikamanu set to replace the injured Mitch Barnett.
Barring injuries in Monday afternoon's Canterbury-Parramatta clash, the Blues will otherwise remain unchanged with the only question mark being the reserves.
And at a time where Queensland's halves are undergoing monumental changes with Daly Cherry-Evans axed, Cleary believes NSW's will only get better.
The Penrith No.7's combination with Moses was the major talking point ahead of Origin I, with both naturally dominant halfbacks in the NRL.
It paid off, with Moses fitting into the supporting role and No.6 jersey unlocking his running game as planned in the 18-6 win.
The duo hardly got in each other's way, linked up in the lead up to one NSW try and Cleary also played a role in each of the Blues' other three four-pointers.
NSW have only had one other all-halfback pairing this century, with Trent Hodkinson and Mitchell Pearce joining forces in the 2015 series loss.
Hodkinson spoke last month about how it became easier for the pair after they'd played one game together.
And Cleary believes it would be the same for he and Moses, as NSW hunt a second straight series win with victory at Optus Stadium next Wednesday night.
Watch all the highlights as the QLD Maroons take on the NSW Blues in Origin I!#Origin
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"The way Mitch and I combined was good, but I think even that, we can go to another level," Cleary said.
"I'm looking forward to getting to camp with them again and building that.
"It's probably just a bit of a feel thing (where we can be better). Especially when we're under fatigue and in the tough moments of the game.
"But still I thought just generally connecting off three training sessions really was pretty good."
Cleary said he expected to regain the kicking duties after handing over to Zac Lomax after three straight missed conversion attempts in Brisbane.
He also believed his own game would benefit after not playing Origin since game one 2023 due to injury.
"It is a weird dynamic (with Origin), where once game three is done, it's almost like another year until you play game one again," Cleary said.
"I think that's why with Origins series, you build into them.
"Particularly for me, coming back after two years out, I got to build those combinations in the first camp.
"But I think I can elevate those even more in this second camp."
Utoikamanu will win Barnett's prop spot ahead of Keaon Koloamatangi, with the Blues largely able to keep their squad together now for two series.
"It helps," second-rower Liam Martin said.
"You can hit the ground running when you're getting into training. You know each other.
"That was the goal last year to build something, start fresh and try and build a legacy of the Blues. It's a group where everyone wants to buy in.
"Everyone is chasing the same goal. Everyone's just got that team-first mentality, and it's pretty special to be a part of."
EXPECTED NSW TEAM FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II:
Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Mitch Moses, Nathan Cleary, Stefano Utoikamanu, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo (capt). Bench: Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Max King.
