Three-time NRL premiership winner Luke Keary believes Nathan Cleary’s uncharacteristically poor display in Origin 2 highlights a bigger issue for NSW. He insists NSW should be performing much better than the first two games in which Queensland have largely dominated and believes the “environment” in Blues camp for Laurie Daley’s side is the cause of their struggles.
The Maroons’ thumping 20-point win in Game 2 has seen Daley come under intense fire, with his selections and use of the bench panned around the league world. Blues halfback Cleary has also copped the brunt of criticism after a woeful defensive showing at the MCG where he missed a staggering 10 tackles – three of which led directly to Maroons tries.
Nathan Cleary’s (centre) poor game in Origin 2 has prompted criticism of the ‘environment’ at Blues camp for Laurie Daley’s (L) side. Pic: Getty
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It’s reignited a long-running criticism of Cleary that the four-time premiership winner is yet to dominate an Origin series, despite being regarded as the game’s premier halfback. But Keary believes the Blues’ struggles run far deeper than any one individual or Daley’s tactics for that matter.
Luke Keary floats theory behind NSW Origin struggles
The Roosters great believes Daley is simply failing to get the best out of his star-studded group of players after insisting that NSW have a stronger team than Queensland on paper. “The issue I’ve got.. is that everyone thinks this is about the team. It’s not about the team at all,” Keary said on NRL 360.
“It is about the environment that coach creates. Look at the Queensland side. There’s guys in there who wouldn’t be in that New South Wales side. That New South Wales team on paper is a better team.”
Keary was shocked by some of the poor defensive reads from Cleary on Wednesday night and says the Blues No.7 never normally makes those mistakes. And he singled out one specific moment in the first half where Cleary raced out of the defensive line and allowed the Maroons to create an overlap that led to their opening try.
“There’s players playing well, some not so well. Nathan Cleary will go down as one of the best halfbacks that’s ever played her game,” Keary said. “In my opinion, he’s the best defensive half that’s ever played our game.
“There were four defensive decisions last night you would never ever see from him ever in this game. He jams out of the line on the first one for the first try. Nathan just doesn’t do that.
“Off the scrum (he) comes up… Nathan never does that. He missed 11 tackles on the night. I don’t care who’s in the team. It’s about creating an environment to get the best out of them.”
Roosters great Luke Keary (L) pointed to a number of uncharacteristically poor defensive reads from Nathan Cleary (R) as evidence of bigger issues for the Blues’ Origin side. Pic: Getty/Fox League
(Getty)Calls for Blues to start Ethan Strange in Origin decider
Cleary’s halves partner Mitchell Moses was also underwhelming in his first game back from a hamstring injury. And premiership-winner Braith Anasta believes the Eels skipper could struggle to hold onto his spot for the Origin decider after calling for Game 1 hero Ethan Strange to start at five-eighth.
“I look at New South Wales, when they’ve been most successful they’ve had a seven that dominates and they’ve had a running five-eighth,” Anasta said “But they’ve got to play to their strengths, New South Wales, and that’s what their strengths are.
“They’ve got to give the team to a seven. Strange will get the job done and he’s not scared of Queensland… he’s not going to be intimidated by Suncorp Stadium.”