Here’s a stat that hardly seems fitting of a player of Nathan Cleary’s talent.

The NSW halfback has won just six out of the 14 State of Origin matches that he has played in, since making his debut back in 2018 (42%).

In addition, he has just 92 Origin points, which averages around 6.5 per game, which, being the goal kicker, can be achieved in just over three conversions. He has two tries and just five try assists as the key playmaking halfback.

When you stack that up against the four premierships that he has won at the Panthers, where in that same timespan has played 131 games with 102 wins at more than 77%, until the end of 2024. He scored 1,193 points at an average of more than nine per game and 110 try assists.

He has had countless moments of brilliance in the Panthers jersey; who could forget him inspiring the miraculous comeback against the Broncos in the 2023 grand final?

Even as recently as Magic Round, he orchestrated a Panthers revival in a pressure game, and their season was slipping away after a poor start to the year. After copping a rib-tickler from Kotoni Staggs, he immediately came up with a much-needed 40-20 and then a solo try to put the premiers in control, and they never looked back.

It just may have saved Penrith’s season.

You only have to tune into a Panthers game to hear past greats of the game, such as Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Andrew Johns, Mick Ennis and Greg Alexander, to name a few, are already lining him up for Immortal status.

However, Origin is one arena that he is yet to conquer. Sure, Cleary has had Origin series wins before, but it’s hardly been occasions where he has left his mark on a series.

Some of his previous years have been injury-affected; in fact, last year he did not play at all, and has only completed a series three times out of six years.

But this year, the stage is set for him to cement his status as one of the true legends of the game.

He comes in as fit as he could possibly be, and a Blues team star-studded with talent and in form.

Nathan Cleary in just his second Origin series in 2019. (Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Cleary has plenty of familiar faces around him: fullback Dylan Edwards, new Blues skipper Isaah Yeo, second-rower and forward leader Liam Martin, winger Brian To’o and even ex-Panthers Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu.

But he also has a new set of teammates to lead.

There had been arguments when comparing him to Johns or Thurston, whether Cleary was the mastermind, or he was just part of a well-oiled machine who were trained to perfection to execute the game plan week after week.

Only a few weeks ago, Gorden Tallis reminded NRL360 that Joey got to his grand final in 2001 with Sean Rudder as five-eighth – who he said wouldn’t be in the top 100 in that position.

Cleary will be stepping out of his comfort zone, not having his whole Penrith squad or his dad as a coach – but this is Nathan’s moment to shine.

Although he has achieved many accolades in the game, a dominant series would really put to bed any critics.

He needs to take all three games by the scruff of the neck. It’s a year that New South Wales has a golden chance at a really dominant win, if not a clean sweep.

There are a few question marks over the Maroons. Kalyn Ponga is out of form, Harry Grant has been battling injury, and the key halves duo of Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans have not been in the best club form either.

Billy Slater is also blooding three debutants, including Robert Toia who is just 10 games into his NRL career. While anything can happen in Origin, especially with the ‘Queensland spirit’, NSW deserve to be favourites pre-series.

Mitch Moses. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

There was debate over who should be Cleary’s halves partner, with Mitchell Moses winning the race over Luai, who formed a club partnership in the halves over the past few years at the foot of the mountains.

The Eel is a leader in his own right. He guided the Blues to a comeback 2-1 series win last year, winning both games after being called into the squad, including at the fortress Suncorp Stadium.

He made his 2025 club comeback from injury against the Tigers on Easter Monday, and since then has five try assists and over 2,100 kicking metres in four games.

The Parramatta star has had 600+ in the past two against the Dolphins and the Knights, and that is what helped Laurie Daley ultimately choose him at No.6.

“I just feel that Mitch is in great form and I think that he and Nathan can combine really well,” Daley said.

“Kicking games are so important, and we have two of the best kickers in the game. You can have a poor set but get away with it if your kick is strong.

“Having that extra kicker in the team in Mitch is great.

“Also, with his communication and he has a great running game – all the qualities that he needs to be great at No.6.”

Before the team was named, Joey told the Sunday Footy Show that Moses was the ideal choice for NSW to be able to attack the Queenslanders from both sides of the field, not just kicking but also running.

“They are both world-class players, and they will play really well together,” Johns said.

“It brings that left edge into play with his long passing. It will also bring his running game into play.

“He’s lightning quick. This (partnership) will free him up from all the organisation in getting the game plan on and enable him to run the ball, and support play.”

It seems like the partnership that Origin dreams are made of, but it won’t be achieved without effort and execution, and how often have the Maroons been able to disrupt the Blues’ game plan?

When the pressure is on, legends rise to the occasion.

Thurston was a key member of the Queensland side that won eight straight series, and leads the way as the all-time Origin pointscorer, with 220. Cleary has the talent and ability to surpass him.

It’s time for the four-time premiership halfback to make this HIS stage and add Origin great to his list of achievements.