LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
New South Wales Blues head coach Laurie Daley has expressed confidence in his new halves combination after their Game 1 win in the 2025 State of Origin series.
Mitchell Moses shifted to five-eighth to make room for the return of Nathan Cleary, who took on the halfback role with the number seven jersey.
Despite the partnership showing signs of struggle, especially in a clunky second half, Daley noted Cleary's solid performance in the first half, while Moses remained noticeably quiet.
However, the Blues' defensive efforts thwarted any advances from Queensland, leading to a comfortable victory for New South Wales.
Daley praised the duo, stating he thought they were "terrific at both ends of the park."