It was just a charge down, but so much more

ANALYSIS | New South Wales needed a performance for the ages to revive the Series. The Blues did that – and some – with Nathan Cleary spearheading the blitz in his most emphatic Origin performance yet. 

Valentine Holmes played the ball 37 metres out from his side’s try line and Queensland team mate Cameron Munster call for it left. The star from Game One was looking to get a good third minute kick away, with territory always an emphasis in State of Origin encounters. But the Maroons five eighth hadn’t accounted for an increasingly motivated – and frankly angry – Nathan Cleary. The Blues half put in some effort strides, eager for an early involvement. He ran straight through the line of the punt and sent the steeden twisting and turning back towards the Queensland in-goal area. The New South Welshman, leading the chase, copped an untimely high bounce. He reeled it in, ultimately, and gave his side the first red zone possession of the match, starting the set on the opposition 19-metre line. It was a clear sign of intent; symbolic. It was the beginning of something special.

The Blues number seven was hurting more than most when the final whistle sounded after Game One. Nathan Cleary was left dejected, as his critics emerged left, right and centre. A surging Maroon wall hassled him into a self-confessed ‘disappointing’ 80 minutes. The Panthers superstar took the loss personally. But it quickly presented him an opportunity to display resilience, something rarely asked of him in recent seasons with his high-flying Penrith side. Cleary could not have responded any more impressively in Perth, coming through with a Man of the Match performance in Game Two.

He in fact got on the front foot just days after the Origin opener, when the Panthers travelled to Newcastle to take on the lowly Knights. He chose to suit up knowing full well his troops would comfortably claim the two points, regardless. Scoring the first try, he dictated terms throughout with steely determination and a point to prove. 

Fast forward a fortnight to Game Two and he set the tone even before an impressionable early touch. Dishing out the treatment he was subjected to in the series opener, Cleary’s early charge down and subsequent defensive attitude earned him the right to play footy downhill as the game unfolded and the holes widened. 

His cross-body deft grubber to assist Matt Burton’s first Origin try showcased class only equalled by the audacious left-to-right cut-out he floated over two teammates and onto Daniel Tupou’s chest for their third try. Not content with the assists, it was time for Cleary to break his Origin try drought in style with two explosive four-pointers in a three minute burst – both paying homage to coach Brad Fittler’s famous left foot step, leaving Maroons defenders clutching at thin air. His trademark kicking game was back, turning tired bodies around at every opportunity. A repeat set off a pinpoint kick early in the tackle count proved to be the catalyst for the avalanche of points in the second half. 

It was a career-defining performance for the 24-year-old – his resilience to bounce back from the disappointment of Game One and produce one of the more complete performances by a halfback in 43 years of Origin history was a statement to the Rugby League world. Cleary sent a reminder he’s the best seven in footy and that this is his Blues team. 

New South Wales needed a performance of significance to swing the momentum of the series, as was addressed in the lead-up. Their crushing 32-point victory is coincidentally the same winning margin as the inaugural Origin played in Perth in Game Two, 2019 – the last time they fought back from 1-nil down to win a series. The difference this time is the hostile crowd waiting for them at Lang Park in the decider. If they get the job done in enemy territory on their way to four Origin series wins in five years, the comparisons to the greatest Blues sides in history deserve to be made.