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'We can't fall in love with ourselves': Blues halfback Cleary keeping eye on the job

By AAP
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Blues game-breaker Nathan Clearly has warned teammates the job is only half done after the halfback’s “masterclass” helped NSW level the State of Origin series in emphatic fashion.

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Relieved of the pressure of being solely responsible for NSW’s kicking game, Cleary delivered the most dominant performance of his Origin career in Sunday night’s 44-12 rout in Perth.

Hussled out of Origin I in Sydney, Cleary returned to his methodical best with a brace of tries – the first of his 12-game NSW career – eight goals from eight with the boot at Optus Stadium.

Blues great Andrew Johns described the dispay as a “masterclass”, while six-times series-winning NSW coach Phil Gould claimed it was “one of the truly great halfback performances in Origin history”.

Cleary agreed it was at least his best at Origin level, with his two tries a bonus.

“I guess you don’t want to fall in love with your individual performance too much because we’ve got a job to do,” he told AAP.

“It was more pleasing to get the win. It was a slog there at times.

“That was a lot more enjoyable than the first game.”

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Cleary’s performance was aided by the fact that Matt Burton was jettisoned into NSW’s left centre spot to take the pressure off the halfback’s kicking game.

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The introduction of Burton and his towering bombs meant Queensland were split on who to close down, allowing Cleary space and time.

“Having ‘Burto’ and ‘Romie’ (Jarome Luai) kicking gave us a couple of options,” Cleary said.

“Our forwards laid a really good platform and we were on the front foot a lot.

“One of Burto’s kicks was ridiculous. I was chasing it and it was flying all over the place, he’s outstanding. I thought he had a great debut.”

The victory means NSW will head to Suncorp Stadium aiming to win a decider in Queensland – something they have only done in 1994 and 2005.

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Cleary has only played in one decider – in 2020 when the Blues lost – and the 24-year-old will be the man tasked with spearheading NSW’s bid to retain the shield.

“It’s going to be tough,” he said. “We know that Queensland are going to be much better and Suncorp is probably the toughest place to go and get a win.

“As much as we have to enjoy tonight, we can’t fall in love with ourselves.

“We have to be better. If we don’t win game three, then tonight’s game means nothing.”

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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