How Origin enemies are aiding Cleary’s bid for green and gold supremacy
By Dan Walsh
Nathan Cleary has shelved five years of Origin duels with Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans as he picks the playmaking brains of Queensland’s halves in his bid to secure the Kangaroos’ halfback role.
Coach Mal Meninga has already hailed Cleary as a long-term Australian half in-waiting as the two-time Penrith title-winner prepares to make his Test debut against Scotland in Coventry on Friday (Saturday, 5.30am AEDT) as one of five Kangaroos rookies.
Cleary and Penrith teammates Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin join Canterbury’s Matt Burton, Roosters prop Lindsay Collins and one-time Scotland squad member Campbell Graham in pulling on the green and gold for the first time.
The scrum base is Australia’s most contentious selection call, with NSW Blues star Cleary getting the chance to press his case alongside Munster after Cherry-Evans had first crack against Fiji.
As Meninga rotates his side through the pool games, there is every chance Cleary and Cherry-Evans will pair together against Italy next week.
Before his first outing in green and gold, Cleary said the usual rivalry between the Origin halves had been replaced by “footy chat” and powwows on the intricacies of halfback play.
How does this match play out?
Hello and welcome
G’day rugby league lovers,
Welcome to our live coverage of Australia’s second match at the Rugby League World Cup. It’s Tom Decent up early in the blogging chair at the Coogee bureau.
The Kangaroos are up against Scotland this morning (kick-off is at 5.30am AEDT) and if the odds are anything to go by, they should rack up a cricket score against their UK rivals.
Australia are at the extremely short odds of $1.002, while Scotland have been installed as $81 outsiders to cause a major boilover. Anyone fancy them?
Nathan Cleary has been named at halfback to take on Scotland. Credit:Cole Bennetts
