Nathan Cleary is expecting Queensland’s new look team to be much better in game two, but he warned the Blues will be better as well as they aim to wrap up the Origin series in Perth.
The Blues had a number of new combinations in the Origin opener, most notably a brand new halves pairing in Cleary and Moses and the halfback is expecting much more with another camp of training under their belt.
“I was happy with how we gelled in game one,” Cleary told foxsports.com.au from the NSW team’s Blue Mountains base.
“I think we can definitely get better and that is the theme with everyone I guess and those combinations.
“We only had two or three proper training sessions with him to do that in game one.
“So obviously get more under our belt now and I really enjoy getting to play alongside him, but also train alongside him and pick his brain a bit and try to get the best out of each other.”
The Blues were dominant in game one, but Origin series’ without a decider are rare and Cleary and the Blues are expecting a bounce back form the Maroons team, who will be desperate to keep the series alive.
“We can’t fall in love with ourselves off that game one performance. Of course it’s nice to win, but I think we all know that there’s a lot more left in us and more room for that improvement, so looking forward to that, I think it’s exciting.
“They are all obviously great players and I love anytime we get together and line up alongside those guys. So looking forward to working on those combinations as the week goes on.
“It’s a weird period of the year, we are sort of in Origin and back in club land then back into Origin, but there a really good vibe around.”
The Maroons are right where they want to be as underdogs, with no one giving them a chance in Perth, which has been a graveyard for them in the past.
But Cleary warned Laurie Daley and the Blues brains trust won’t let complacency creep in.
“I think that will be spoken about later in the week,” Cleary said.
“But at the end of the day, we know that Queensland’s going to play better, but I think we’re confident in ourselves that we can play better as well.
“That’s what Origin is all about. It’s the best against the best, so I’m sure it’ll be a great game.”
The Blues are largely settled from game one to game two with Mitch Barnett’s season ending injury the only forced change to the team.
However, Stefano Utoikamanu trained with the team all week in preparation for game one with Payne Haas in doubt and Cleary believes that will hold him in good stead.
“I think it helps he was in camp for game one, so he obviously knows what’s needed,” Cleary said.
“I really rate him as a player. I think moving forward to get this opportunity, I’m sure it’s good for the team.”
After spending all of his Origin career opposite Daly Cherry-Evans, Cleary will come up against a new No.7 in Tom Dearden in game two, after Billy Slater’s bombshell call to drop his skipper.
But Cleary believes Dearden changed the game when he came on in the Origin opener and knows NSW will need to be prepared for the liverwire playmaker.
“I think Tom Dearden’s been an outstanding form and obviously he came off the bench in game one and when he came on he looked dangerous,” Cleary said.
“He adds a different dimension to their side and obviously a great running game, so we have to be very wary of that.”
Queensland also have a new captain in Cameron Munster, who has orchestrated many Maroons triumphs over the Blues in the past.
NSW kept Munster quiet in game one, by running plenty of traffic his way and he missed a game high 10 tackles.
Cleary denied the extra attention sent Munster’s way was a tactic, but admitted the Queensland five-eighth is always one to watch.
“I wouldn’t say it was a specific tactic, it’s probably just how the flow of how the game went,” Cleary said.
“Origin is often like that, you just have got to get a feel for what’s working and what’s not and I think that was just sort of the case of that game.
“But Munster is a great player and you always have to be ready for anything with him.”
It has been spoken about adnauseum that Cleary and Zac Lomax’s goal kicking was off in game one, which meant the Blues left a fair few points out there.
However, Cleary believes kicking is a confidence game and he warned he has got that back at club level.
“I’m not too sure what went wrong,” Cleary said.
“I sort of lost a bit of confidence after the first two kicks that missed and then the third one was pretty poor.
“It was just frustrating, but I think the two games back in club land, I kicked pretty well.
“So just got to back to all the practice I’ve done and knuckle down on that and hopefully I’ll be striking a bit sweeter in game two.”
In his final game before Origin II, Cleary came up against old running mate for the Panthers and Blues Jarome Luai, with the Panthers getting the chocolates in a 18-14 thriller.
Cleary admits it was a trippy experience not running out with Luai onto the same field, after spending the majority of their careers and winning four premierships together.
“Nah, I never thought we would really getting into the scuffle, but it was pretty weird,” Cleary said of his battle with Luai.
“I went out before the game, out to the field and he was sitting on the other side of the field and I’m just so used to going out together.
“It’s a weird feeling, but happy to get the win. I thought he played really well though, so I’m starting to get so used to it I guess.”
The Blues’ secret weapon in 2025 has been Panthers’ nemesis and Storm boss Craig Bellamy and Cleary has been thrilled to have the super coach on his side for a change.
“He just sort of overlooks everything,” Cleary said.
“He has little bits of input here and there, and it’s quite crazy that when you hear him speak, everyone is fully tuned in.
“He has got this aura about him. It’s just great to have him in camp and helping our team and giving Loz (Daley) a helping hand and he’s been great.”
Two of the Blues’ best in game one were wingers Brian To’o and Lomax, who ran for nearly 400 metres and scored three tries between them.
In terms of body shapes, you couldn’t get two more different players doing such a similar job, but Cleary knows just how important the pair are to the Blues’ success.
“They are definitely different, but I think the way they play the game is so tough and they get through so much work for us, it’s quite incredible what they are able to do,” Cleary said. “Then obviously they finished off some tries and I just enjoy being in camp with both of them but always playing with them too.
“I think both of them definitely characterise that. They have different body shapes, but get through a lot of good work and I think their strengths are quite similar too.”
Cleary has been a part of Perth Origins in the past and is excited to get back to a place NSW have enjoyed success in historically.
“I’m not too sure what it is, but I like it over there, it’s nice, a good place in the world,” Cleary said.
“I’ve played a couple of games over there now so looking forward to getting back.”
Playing on an AFL field might offer its own challenges for a kicker in rugby league, but Cleary can’t see it being a problem for himself and Moses.
“I’ve never found it too difficult to be honest, because they sort of have the signage in the rectangle around there anyway,” Cleary said.
“I think it’d be a bit different if it’s just like the full circle.
“So once you get used to it and we usually train the day before the game. You can get sort of a feel for your bearings.”
