Cleary believes the Blues’ combinations will “get a lot better” the more they train together, although he added that was the case for both teams during an Origin campaign.
“Naturally, Queensland will get a lot better too,” he said. “I think that’s what usually happens in these Origin series.
“You sort of build into it as the games go on.
“You get a bit more time training together … particularly for me, coming back after two years out, you’ve sort of got to build those combinations in the first game, but I think I can elevate those even more in the second game.”
Cleary said he enjoyed playing with Moses in Origin I but there was always room for improvement.
NSW halves Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses.Credit: Dylan Coker
“I thought the way Mitch and I combined was good, but I think even that we can go to another level,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting to camp with them again.”
After a rare wayward night with the boot at Suncorp Stadium – landing only one goal from four attempts – Cleary has resumed normal service, kicking six goals from his past seven attempts for the Panthers. His only miss was a sideline shot that rebounded off the post in Sunday’s 18-14 win against the Tigers.
“Yeah, I want to have it [the goalkicking duties] back in game two. I handed it over to [Zac] Lomax and he missed anyway,” Cleary said with a laugh.
“I think it was just an off night. I don’t think anyone was kicking well that night … I sort of lost a bit of confidence. But particularly over the last two weeks, I feel like I’ve been striking the ball pretty well.”
He was looking forward to returning to Perth’s Optus Stadium, where in 2022 he delivered arguably his best-ever Origin performance, scoring 28 points in a 44-12 demolition.
“I think you just sort of lean on that experience,” he said. “But then again, it’s in the past.
“I really enjoy Perth as a place, but also the stadium and all that. And just being on that arena, I love it.”
Meanwhile, Cleary’s father Ivan – Penrith’s four-time premiership-winning coach – has expressed his disappointment about the NRL scheduling around Origin II.
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The Panthers play the Warriors in Auckland on Saturday, June 21, less than three days after their five-man Origin contingent play in Perth.
They then face a five-day turnaround before a blockbuster clash with competition leaders Canterbury on Thursday, June 26.
“The Origin players won’t be playing [in Auckland], because they can’t,” Cleary said.
“That’s another story, because I don’t think it’s fair.
“We should be able to make that decision, but just through flights and things, we won’t be able to get them there.
“And then we’ve got a five-day turnaround after that, against the top team, the Dogs … we’ll worry about that in a couple of weeks.”
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