LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Laurie Daley is facing scrutiny for his decision to play Nathan Cleary during Queensland's 26-24 victory in State of Origin Game 2, amidst concerns over Cleary's fitness due to a groin injury.
The match, held in Perth, was crucial for New South Wales (NSW), who aimed to secure the series after dominating Queensland in Game 1.
Despite this backdrop, the Queensland team, captained by Cameron Munster and featuring a standout performance from him, took charge early on, scoring four tries to NSW's one in the first half.
Cleary's performance raised questions; he avoided long kicks initially and relinquished them to Zac Lomax after a try from Brian To'o.
This decision led many to wonder if Cleary was fully fit, especially since he was seen wearing a compression brace on his right thigh.
Cleary's first half was chaotic, with numerous loose passes that led to turnovers, and he struggled to connect with his teammate Jarome Luai, failing to control the game's tempo.
While NSW rallied in the second half, scoring five tries to four, they could only convert one attempt, continuing their struggle from Game 1.
As time ran out, Cleary and Luai's ability to manage the game came under fresh scrutiny.
With just two minutes remaining, in a pivotal moment for a potential comeback, Connor Watson's poor pass through Lomax's hands thwarted the final attack, raising further questions on Cleary and Luai's decision-making and control during crucial moments.
In conclusion, while NSW showed resilience by narrowing the score gap in the second half, Cleary's performance and fitness, along with coaching decisions by Daley, sparked significant debate.
The apparent lack of control and proper execution in critical situations highlighted weaknesses that could affect NSW's future performance in the series.