NSW lost Cleary and Moses to injury”: Who are the halves next in line?; Nathan Cleary at the centre of Origin scandal over secret setback…

🔍 Verdict & Outlook

• Short‑term (Game II and III): Expect Daley to go with Jarome Luai, potentially partnered by Matt Burton, for stability, Origin nous, and proven combinations.

• If both Luai and Burton aren’t chosen, the Hynes‑Luai pairing offers dynamism—conditional on fitness.

• Moses remains an insurance option but his injury timeline makes a timely return unlikely.

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🔥 Cleary’s “secret setback” scandal

While preparing for Origin, Cleary’s minor groin injury was reportedly downplayed as insignificant. However, leaked reports claim Blues staff withheld full details of a secret setback pre-Origin. This has sparked public debate—some say it’s media sensationalism, while others question transparency from the NSW camp. Officially, Penrith describe it as “not too serious,” and Cleary rested for club matches

The scandal essentially revolves around whether the injury was exaggerated to manage public expectations—and if behind‑the‑scenes communication was appropriate.