New South Wales has copped an almighty blow in its quest to stage the State of Origin collection with halfback Nathan Cleary struggling a hamstring harm on Sunday evening.
The Blues halfback limped from the sector clutching at his left hamstring through the first half of the Panthers’ match in opposition to the Dragons in Penrith.
Cleary picked up the harm whereas transferring in a sliding line of defense at BlueBet Stadium.
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He was clearly shattered as he left the sector with a coach and stumbled up the race.
Blues advisor Greg Alexander supplied his response to the harm blow in his function as a Fox League commentator.
“You could possibly inform that he was in hassle instantly. I believe you would see by the look on his face that he is aware of it is greater than only a twinge,” Alexander stated.
“As he tried to take off there you would see him hobbling again into place after which when it was examined he was instantly off the sector.
“And Nathan Cleary is a troublesome footballer, so that you’re pondering … there’s received to be severe points there.”
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If Cleary is dominated out of sport two of the Origin collection, to be performed at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 21, the Blues will possible shift Nicho Hynes into the No.7 jumper, partnering the Sharks playmaker within the halves with Jarome Luai.
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Within the lead-up to sport one, which Queensland received 26-18 at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday evening, there have been calls from revered rugby league figures to axe Luai and blood Hynes at five-eighth.
When Cleary was scrubbed from sport three of the 2021 decider attributable to a dislocated shoulder, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses took his spot, earlier than the Maroons received 20-18 to stop a Blues whitewash.
Cleary’s harm blow on Sunday evening adopted the withdrawal of gun centre Latrell Mitchell two days earlier than the Origin opener, with the South Sydney ace struggling a calf harm throughout a coaching session.
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