Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues playmaker Nathan Cleary is preparing to give Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans a run for his money, when it comes to who wears the No.7 jumper for Australia.
It will be one of the great contests within the walls of the Kangaroos team – the 2022 premiership-winning halfback up against the Origin series-winning halfback.
“That’s the good thing with Rugby League, as there are always challenges to overcome,” Cleary said.
“I think it’s healthy competition because I know Daly is a great player and he’s the incumbent halfback.
“Just to be alongside these players, these international players, it’s humbling.”
Cleary said he hadn’t sat down yet with Australian coach Mal Meninga on his plans for the No.7 jumper against Fiji, which will be the Kangaroos’ first game on 15 October.
“I’m sure those talks will happen once we get to England,” Cleary said.
“I’m sure I’d be able to get myself right, so we’ll just see how it goes.
“But it’s really cool. I get to play alongside some really great players – it’s not too dissimilar to when you get into an Origin camp.
“You verse players on the weekend, and then you’re teammates on Monday.
“Everyone has the same goal – to get the win.”
As for Penrith’s achievement – two titles from three Grand Finals – Cleary has fond memories.
“It’s the best feeling ever,” he said.
“We’ve achieved something really great – now it’s gone and it’s onto the next challenge.”
Teammate James Fisher-Harris labelled the 2022 side the best Panthers team its 65-year history – greater than the 1991 and 2003 Premiership line-ups.
“I don’t know,” Cleary said. “I think it’s hard to say and it’s hard to make comparisons as well.
“But this team is very special considering where we were in 2019 where we didn’t even make the finals.
“There’s a lot of people who worked their arses off to make it happen behind the scenes - not just the 17 that played on Sunday night.”
