Unbelievable: I must admit that at the moment, I can’t decide between his dad and his coach
A “shattered” Nathan Cleary is questionable for the State of Origin series after Penrith’s 16-10 victory over Canterbury aggravated his hamstring injury.
Shortly before halftime on Friday, Cleary got hurt while pursuing his own kick, and he reported it to Panthers trainer Shane Elford. Soon later, Penrith’s co-captain departed, and rising gun Jack Cole took his place in the halves.
He appeared desolate in the sheds.
Ivan Cleary, the father and coach, described him as “pretty shattered.”
“I must admit that at the moment, I can’t decide between his dad and his coach. It’s really disheartening.
The 26-year-old Cleary’s setback prolongs his unsatisfactory start to the season. He was rested last week, only one game after making his return, due to a right hamstring ailment that sidelined him for a month earlier in the season.
The last thing NSW coach Michael Maguire wanted was his departure, given he has few reliable halves options for the Origin match on June 5.
After prospective NSW center Tom Trbojevic also suffered a hamstring injury in Manly’s loss to the Dolphins, Cleary is the second Blues player to be sidelined in the first two games of the season.
To ascertain the extent of the injury, the Penrith star—who would be a near-certain choice as the Blues halfback—will have scans on Saturday afternoon.
“He knew right away because he felt it. Coach Cleary stated, “That would suggest it’s decent (severity).”
Due to Cleary’s unfortunate circumstances, Nicho Hynes, a playmaker from Cronulla, may be able to start for NSW at halfback, while Mitch Moses of Parramatta will have to fight against time to heal from a foot fracture.
For the Panthers, rookie playmaker Cole is set to start in the second half following the knee injury sustained by Brad Schneider, Cleary’s regular backup, on Friday during the NSW Cup.
After a fiercely contested first half, Cleary was injured just minutes before Brian To’o broke the Bulldogs’ hearts with a goal ninety seconds from the half.
The Bulldogs were the more creative team early on, leading to a 12-0 halftime lead, as skipper Stephen Crichton made his much-awaited comeback to BlueBet Stadium.
The defending premiers, Penrith, were slow to get going in the rainy circumstances early on. Although the Bulldogs were willing to take a risk, they were unable to deliver the decisive blow.
Luke Garner did his best version of the barnstorming Queensland second-rower, crashing through six defenders to score the first goal on the left edge, a day after Penrith missed out on signing David Fifita. The first points of the game had come after twenty-five minutes.
Canterbury’s efforts were rewarded with two late tries, as Matt Burton sliced through Dylan Edwards and Paul Alamoti before Jacob Kiraz dived over just before the siren went off.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo praised his team’s perseverance in keeping up a close battle with the defending premiers.
“We came here confident but I reckon we’re leaving even more confident,” he stated.
“We’re still a work in progress, but we look lot better physically. We will improve the more we practice and play together.”
Referee dissent is still a heated topic in the NRL, and a frustrated Burton was penalized for talking back to referee Liam Kennedy in the closing minutes.
