Nathan Cleary is open to the idea of talking to NSW Blues officials about who should partner him in the halves for the State of Origin series opener on May 31, but the star halfback doesn’t want to have to make the final call between great mate Jarome Luai and Nicho Hynes, who he describes as “incredible”.
There’s still a month to go until the squads are picked for game one, but the chat is already starting to ramp up, with the NSW five-eighth spot one of the most contentious positions.
Luai has played five games for the Blues alongside Cleary, but was part of the side which lost the series last year as heavy favourites.
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His form has been solid to start 2023, while Hynes is the flavour of the month after making an exceptional return from a calf injury to back up last year’s record-breaking Dally M haul.
“Everyone loves talking about Origin really early, so it’s no surprise,” Cleary said.
“We’ll have to wait and see because there’s still a long time before that first Origin game; there’s a lot of footy to be played.
“Nicho is playing great footy, but in saying that, ‘Romey’ has been there and done it and performed in really big games, too.
“I’ll always say that I enjoy playing with Romey because he makes my game better. I think we do have a good combination that’s been built over a long period of time. It’s not up to me.”
That combination is something the pair has developed through the grades, with the halves only needing to look at each other to get on the same page.
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“Combinations are most important when you’re under pressure,” said Cleary, who won back-to-back premierships with Luai.
“That could be on the Origin stage or that could be in the finals or anything, really when you feel like you’re under the pump.
“You’re probably not at your best and you’re tired and all that sort of stuff, but you have that relationship and combination where you know what that other person is going to do in those moments.
“I think that’s where it probably helps the most, and that comes with experience, having played with each other for a long time.
“It might just be a look, and a lot of the time he just knows what I’m going to do, so I don’t actually have to say anything. When you’re at your most tired and you don’t have to say anything, it helps.
“I guess I could always give my opinion, but I don’t want to be the one making the call.”
His strong opinions on Luai shouldn’t be seen as a knock on Hynes, who he has grown to admire since their first meeting 12 months ago.
“We first met last year in Origin camp. He came in to two Origin camps last year, so that was the first time I got to know him,” Cleary said.
“He’s a great bloke and a great player and I can’t speak highly enough of what he’s done for the Sharks. The level he’s been playing at is quite incredible.”
Having Luai alongside him for the Blues is one thing, but the more pressing issue is ensuring the five-eighth signs a new deal, with rival clubs ready to make big offers should he still be available on November 1.
The Panthers have paid the price for their success, with guys like Viliame Kikau and Api Koroisau moving on this year, and the same salary cap pressure will be applied next year when Luai and Dylan Edwards are off contract.
The club has already locked in several of their most important players, and keeping the two spine members is next on their agenda.
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“I’d obviously like to have Romey stay here for as long as I’m here, but at the end of the day it’s not up to me,” Cleary said.
“It’d be nice, but it’s the inevitability of it that it’s going to be tough. You just don’t know with the salary cap and stuff like that going up where that leaves us.
“I’d love to be able to stay together as long as we can, but at the end of the day, some people need to look after their families, and money plays a part in that.”
