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.
“For us it’s just about improving,” Cleary said.
“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.”
