NSW coaching staff planned to move Connor Watson into the halves for **State of Origin II** had **Nathan Cleary** broken down with a groin injury early in the game.
Cleary injured his adductor while practising goal-kicking at Tuesday’s captain’s run and was only passed fit to start after the warm-up on Wednesday night.
The Blues spent 24 hours privately agonising over whether to play it safe by scratching Cleary and bringing in 18th man **Matt Burton**. If they had played Cleary and the gamble backfired, No.14 **Watson** would have moved to five-eighth, with **Jarome Luai** shifting to halfback.
Before **Origin I**, NSW had an abundance of halves options, with Luai and **Mitchell Moses** battling to partner Cleary. But after Moses suffered a calf injury at training last week—ruling him out of **Game II** and **Game III** on July 9—Cleary’s late scare left the Blues scrambling for backup plans.
### **Who’s Next in Line?**
If Luai or Cleary is injured before **Game III**, the likely replacement would be **Matt Burton**, who has been NSW’s 18th man five times. However, pairing Burton and Luai would mean two left-footed playmakers, forcing one to defend on the right.
**Isaiya Katoa** (Dolphins) has impressed many, including Immortal **Andrew Johns**, who called him Cleary’s long-term successor. However, throwing the 21-year-old into a do-or-die decider might be too risky.
**Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf** praised Katoa’s composure but acknowledged the pressure of an Origin debut in such high stakes.
Other options include:
- **Luke Metcalf** (Warriors): Having a breakout season but suffered a quad injury in Round 16.
- **Lachie Galvin** (Canterbury): A future star but likely too inexperienced for an Origin decider.
- **Adam Reynolds** (Broncos): A veteran with Origin experience but unlikely to be recalled.
### **Moses Keen to Link Up with Cleary**
Mitchell Moses remains hopeful of partnering Cleary in future series, but for now, NSW will rely on their current trio—**Cleary, Luai, and Burton**—to stay fit.
With all three set to finish their NRL commitments before **Game III**, the Blues hope this discussion becomes irrelevant.
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