Panthers coach Ivan Cleary doesn’t think his son’s groin issue is “too serious”, with the champion halfback expected to be fine to take his place in the side for next Thursday’s showdown with the Bulldogs.
Nathan Cleary battled a groin complaint in Wednesday’s second Origin clash, with the NSW No.7 forced to wear a compression sleeve on his right leg.
Cleary didn’t kick goals and was kept quiet in the first half, only for the four-time premiership winner to take control as the Blues chased points in a dramatic final 40 minutes.
The injury caught everyone off guard, but it’s not considered serious at this stage.
Cleary was always going to miss Penrith’s trip to New Zealand for Saturday’s game against the Warriors, with all five of their Origin stars rested, including hat-trick hero Brian To’o, who overcame a hamstring injury to dominate in Perth.
“Nathan had that little groin injury. I’m not too sure how he’s going at the moment, but I don’t think it’s too serious,” Ivan Cleary said in Auckland.
“Bizza (To’o) went into the game with a bit of a hamstring issue but he’s come out pretty good.”
The undermanned Panthers can jump back inside the top eight with an upset win across the ditch in what will be their first match in Auckland since 2019.
Isaah Yeo was still playing in the centres back then, James Maloney was halfback and James Fisher-Harris was still at the club as they overcame two sin bins to win 19-18.
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Cleary, who used to coach the Warriors, voiced his frustrations recently at the timing of this away trip after Origin that forced him to rest his Blues players given the hectic travel schedule.
But he’s moved on ahead of two massive matches in five days against a couple of top-four teams coached by two of his former assistants.
“It’s disappointing for the New Zealand fans because we haven’t played here for six years, so they haven’t seen any of our team through that pretty good period,” he said.
“That’s a little unfortunate, but I know it must be difficult trying to work out the draw, and everyone has their own hardluck stories.”
