Nathan Cleary ruled out of must-win Origin clash with hamstring tear

Panthers and NSW halfback Nathan Cleary has been ruled out of Origin II after suffering a grade two hamstring tear in the Panthers’ game against the Dragons on Sunday night.

Scans on Monday morning confirmed Cleary will spend up to six weeks on the sideline, which would rule him out of game two on June 21. It also puts him in doubt for game three on July 12.

Nathan Cleary leaves the field on Sunday night.Credit: NRL Photos

“We’re going to be without him for a while,” Cleary’s father Ivan said on Sunday night.

“I’m not a doctor but it’s a significant injury. We’ll get scans tomorrow and we’ll know more. I think he’d be very unlikely [for game two], I’m not a doctor though.”

“I guess when you back players up [after an Origin game] there’s always a bit of a risk. But this [four-day turnaround from Origin I] is the longest turnaround you can get. He showed no signs of anything coming out of it. ”

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NSW coach Brad Fittler is now tasked with finding a halfback to replace Cleary in a must-win game two at Suncorp Stadium. The Blues’ squad for the clash in Brisbane is due to be picked in a week.

Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes is expected to be a front-runner to join the Blues’ starting side, after making his debut on the bench in game one. Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses, and perhaps even Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds, could also be in the frame.

More to come.