It is “stupidity” for the Blues to continue picking Nathan Cleary for Origin series if he fails to show up in Wednesday’s decider, journalist Paul Crawley has claimed.
NSW travel to Brisbane knowing a win will see them reclaim the shield at the Suncorp Stadium.
But they will have to wrestle the momentum back from the Maroons — who recovered from their loss in Origin I to thrash the Blues 44-20 at the MCG.
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The series turnaround coincided with Cleary’s dip in form after he thrilled in the opener but struggled in Melbourne.
And with his record in Origin deciders at a dismal 0-3, expert Crawley feels another poor performance from Cleary should see the Blues “move on” from the 28-year-old.
Speaking on NRL 360, he said: “The definition of stupidity is to just keep doing the same thing all the time and getting the same result. Nathan has had enough time in the Blues jumper now.
“He was brought through as a 20-year-old. He was given time. There were times early in his career where I don’t think he deserved to have that jumper.
“At that point, there was other blokes that probably deserved to go, but the Blues put faith in him. They knew he was the long-term halfback and have given him ample time to get it right.”
He went on to add: “I don’t think he was great for the Kangaroos last year. I don’t think the Kangaroos clicked on that series.
“Yes, they won the Ashes three-nil, but there was no stage in that series where I thought the Kangaroos clicked.
“I just think at some point you have to move on. If they don’t get it right this series, I would love to see New South Wales take a breath and give the young blokes a go.”
The decider will be a landmark appearance for Cleary as he is set to become the Blues’ all-most capped halfback — with Wednesday night poised to be his 20th Origin appearance.
For Cleary, it is the latest big game in a career that has the potential to usurp all others.
He has already won four premierships, two Clive Churchill Medals, a World Cup and an Ashes series.
You can throw in the three Origin series that he’s also collected, but for everything Cleary’s achieved in the game, his critics insist he has not “owned the Origin arena”.
A win at Suncorp Stadium in enemy territory would end that debate once and for all, with the superstar playmaker likely to claim the Wally Lewis Medal.
Originally published as ‘Stupidity’: Nathan Cleary State of Origin rant stuns ahead of showdown decider