NRL greats back Nathan Cleary to be picked ahead of Queensland rival in Kangaroos side

Nathan Cleary is in the box seat to picked as the Kangaroos halfback following his excellent performance in NSW’s State of Origin series win.

The Panthers halfback steered the Blues’ star-studded backline around the park superbly in the opening two games of the series.

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Now NRL greats are calling for Cleary to be awarded his debut in a Kangaroos jersey this year.

Speaking on SEN 1170 Breakfast, Matty Johns and Cameron Smith were asked if there was any doubt that Cleary should be the main playmaker in the halves for Australia later this year.

“Not me, he (Cleary) is my number seven,” Johns replied.

“He is in the argument for the best player in the game, he’s on the dais with Tom (Trbojevic) and (James) Tedesco, he’s my number seven.

“(Cameron) Munster is my six, Jarome (Luai) could be my 14, but Munster has the runs on the board.”

“There’s no doubt about it, I don’t think you’d get an argument from many people on that position,” Smith added.

There are calls for Nathan Cleary to be picked in the Kangaroos side after he steered NSW to a State of Origin series victory. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Manly and Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has clearly fallen down the pecking order for selection in the national side.

“There’s always talk about incumbency and Daly (Cherry-Evans) is the incumbent number seven, but off form and particularly in the first two matches of the Origin series, you’ve got to have Nathan Cleary there,” Smith said.

Cleary is yet to debut for Australia but could get the chance at the World Cup in the UK in October.

But his first priority will be recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained during the Blues 26-0 victory in Game Two on Sunday night.

The 23-year-old landed awkwardly on his right shoulder in the first half of the game but, remarkably, soldiered on and played the full 80 minutes.

Following Game Two, NSW coach Brad Fittler said early signs indicated the injury was not serious.

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