Nathan Cleary knows what’s coming.
The NSW playmaker is bracing for a barrage of criticism and finger-pointing after the Blues were overhauled in State of Origin I to give Queensland the chance to wrap up the series in Perth in two-and-a-half weeks.
After all, it comes with the territory of wearing the No.7 jumper.
Just like Mitchell Pearce before him, Cleary said he expects to shoulder the lion’s share of blame for the 18-14 defeat.
There may now be calls for Pearce to be recalled, either for Cleary or halves partner Cody Walker, who was subbed off by coach Brad Fittler midway through the second-half.
“Yeah, it always does,” Cleary said when asked if he expected the blame to fall on him.
“I feel like I could have done a lot more tonight and that hurts me a bit.
“The scrutiny always comes on the No.7 especially in Origin, so I’m prepared for it.”
Cleary has been no stranger to criticism during the first three months of the NRL season after Penrith’s poor start to the year.
He said he had learned not to take it to heart.
“You’ve just got to pinpoint the opinions you listen to,” Cleary said.
“You have a gut feeling within yourself what’s gone right or wrong. That’s usually the right feeling.
“People close to you will always be honest with you, the people that mean the most – the opinions of the coach, the teammates, my mates, my family are the ones I take on board and always will.”
Cleary’s kicking and defensive game was sound on Wednesday night, but he was out-pointed by opposite Daly Cherry-Evans.
Should Fittler ring in changes for game two, it would be the Blues’ 22nd halves combination since 2006.
Cleary said he hoped to be given time to develop his partnership with Walker.
“It’s not ideal when you lose but I could have done a lot more I feel,” Cleary said.
“That hurts after the game. But in saying that, I tried my hardest.
“I think the best way to learn from each other is to play with each other.
“I feel like I learned a fair bit about Cody tonight. Hopefully we can improve in the next couple of weeks.”
