'Just a bit of load management': Blues halfback Nathan Cleary brushes off injury concerns ahead of game two
Updated . First published
NSW Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has brushed off suggestions he is carrying an injury into game two and insists he is fully fit to play on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old was on lighter duties at the captain's run on Tuesday, but has been declared as a certain starter against the Maroons.
"Nah - It was just a bit of load management," Cleary said.
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Nathan Cleary speaks to media ahead of game two Nine
"Obviously got a lot of work done through the week and today was our lighter session."
Cleary was also quizzed about his goal-kicking routine at training, where he was spotted visualising his kicks after a disappointing game one with the boot.
"I like to go through that visualisation process," he said.
"It's just a different way to do it, instead of always having to bank the physical reps."
The champion halfback will reunite with Jarome Luai for the Blues, but that won't be the only bit of Penrith flavour running out onto Optus Stadium.
Cleary was quick to point out that a large contingent of the 2021 premiership side will be on deck for the Blues, including those who now play at other clubs.
LIVE UPDATES: 2025 State of Origin II scores, latest news
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai Getty
"It's been really good - I love any time I get to play alongside Romey," he said.
"It does have the feel of that 2021 grand final team with Spencer [Leniu], Critta [Stephen Crichton] and Burto [Matt Burton] as 18th man.
"It feels great to be around those boys again."
State of Origin 2025 dates
The series kicked off on Wednesday, May 28 at Suncorp Stadium, with the Blues taking out the opening game with an 18-6 victory.
Game two will be held at Perth's Optus Stadium on June 18, before the final game of the series on July 9 at Sydney's Accor Stadium.
Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
State of Origin 2025 kick off time
All three matches will kick off at 8.05pm AEST.
Blues back-rower Hudson Young at training. Getty
How to watch State of Origin
The only place to watch State of Origin live and exclusive is on Nine and 9Now.
Where are the 2025 State of Origin matches?
The venues for this year's Origin series will be Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Optus Stadium in Perth and Accor Stadium in Sydney.
State of Origin 2025 tickets
To purchase tickets to this year's Origin series, click here.
State of Origin 2025 game one teams
Queensland Maroons full squad: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Xavier Coates 3. Robert Toia 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Cameron Munster 7. Tom Dearden 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui 11. Reuben Cotter 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Trent Loiero 14. Kurt Mann 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Jeremiah Nanai 17. Patrick Carrigan 18. Ezra Mam 19. Jack Howarth 20. Corey Horsburgh
Kalyn Ponga shares a laugh with coach Billy Slater. Getty
NSW Blues full squad: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To'o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Latrell Mitchell 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Max King 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Connor Watson 15. Spencer Leniu 16. Hudson Young 17. Stefano Utoikamanu 18. Matt Burton 19. Lindsay Smith 20. Jacob Preston
State of Origin win records
Of the 43 full State of Origin series played to date, Queensland have won 24 and NSW have won 17, with two drawn series.
In the past decade, Queensland have won six series and NSW have won four.
Across the 133 matches - including one-off contests in the early 1980s - the Maroons have won 70 and the Blues have won 61, with two drawn matches.
Wally Lewis Medal past winners
Some of the game's all-time greats have won the coveted award, which is given to the best player across the three-game Origin series, since its inception in 2004.
Over the years, only six NSW players have won the award, such has been Queensland's level of dominance during that period.
Cameron Smith is one of Origin's most successful players. Getty
Cameron Smith won the medal four times and Billy Slater won it twice.
- 2004 - Craig Fitzgibbon (NSW)
- 2005 - Anthony Minichiello (NSW)
- 2006 - Darren Lockyer (QLD)
- 2007 - Cameron Smith (QLD)
- 2008 - Johnathan Thurston (QLD)
- 2009 - Greg Inglis (QLD)
- 2010 - Billy Slater (QLD)
- 2011 - Cameron Smith (QLD)
- 2012 - Nate Myles (QLD)
- 2013 - Cameron Smith (QLD)
- 2014 - Paul Gallen (NSW)
- 2015 - Corey Parker (QLD)
- 2016 - Cameron Smith (QLD)
- 2017 - Dane Gagai (QLD)
- 2018 - Billy Slater (QLD)
- 2019 - James Tedesco (NSW)
- 2020 - Cameron Munster (QLD)
- 2021 - Tom Trbojevic (NSW)
- 2022 - Patrick Carrigan (QLD)
- 2023 - Reuben Cotter (QLD)
- 2024 - Angus Crichton (NSW)
How much do State of Origin players get paid?
According to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald two years ago, Origin players earn $30,000 per match after striking a deal to return to pre-pandemic rates.
