Nathan Cleary, the star player of the New South Wales Blues, has taken full responsibility for the team's disappointing performance in State of Origin II, a match that saw the Blues suffer a humiliating 44-24 loss to Queensland. Cleary's admission of embarrassment and self-criticism has sparked a much-needed conversation about the team's shortcomings and the need for improvement.
In a post-game interview, Cleary, the Blues' No.7, admitted that his performance was far from his usual standards and that he felt responsible for the team's loss. He stated, 'It's tough, it's very disappointing and frustrating, and I'm definitely disappointed in my own performance. It's pretty embarrassing to let the team down, but there is a game three to be won.'
Cleary's assessment of his performance was eye-opening. He acknowledged that he was largely invisible during the 80-minute clash, only managing four conversions, setting up one try, and kicking 259 meters. However, he also admitted to missing 10 tackles, a critical aspect of his role as a half-back. He said, 'It just wasn't up to my standards, or what the team needs from me.'
The Blues' loss has raised questions about the team's strategy and the role of head coach Laurie Daley. Many spectators have called for Daley's dismissal, and Cleary's self-reflection adds to the growing pressure on the coaching staff. He said, 'We've trained together in camp before, we connected quite well in the first half, but in the second half, we just didn’t respond well enough to not having field position.'
Despite the loss, Cleary remains optimistic about the team's chances in the third game of the series. He believes that the team can still win the trophy, but it will require a lot of self-reflection and hard work. He said, 'It's little things, but I think a lot of the time it’s a mentality thing as well. Just putting yourself in the picture for plays, particularly defensively.'
The Blues' defeat has left a bitter taste in the mouths of fans and players alike, but Cleary's willingness to take responsibility and his commitment to improving are a positive sign for the team's future. As he said, 'Just being critical of myself, understanding what went wrong, and then just moving on... and sticking together. This can fracture a group, or it can bring everyone together. We want to stay together, grow from it, and put ourselves in the best position when we get to game three.'
The pressure is on for the Blues to make significant changes and for Cleary to lead the team to redemption in the final game of the series.
