The NSW Blues lost the 2025 State of Origin series Wednesday night, giving up an emphatic 1-0 lead with a poor showing in the decider, held on home turf in Sydney.
While blame is already being allocated thick and fast, one area of the team that many are turning to is the number seven jersey, which for the past three games has been worn by Penrith Panthers star Nathan Cleary.
But despite his near-unmatched winning ability at club level - having led his team to four-straight NRL Premierships - this most recent outing marked his third loss in an Origin decider, and moved his total record to 8-9, leaving many wondering if the future of the NSW halfback position lies elsewhere.
Should Nathan Cleary remain NSW's halfback?
There is no denying that Nathan Cleary is one of the greats of the modern NRL, but there are serious questions about his ability to perform in the NSW jersey, even from the man himself.
Cleary has won three State of Origin series, but he is yet to truly dominate one, and his inability to win these deciding games has stuck out in a massive way, as he acknowledged after the most recent loss.
"At the end of the day, I haven't [owned an Origin performance]," Cleary said.
"I'm the harshest marker of myself anyway.
"I don't really think what other people say is out of line because I probably think that of myself anyway."
But does this mean that Cleary's time as NSW's halfback will come to a close? Realistically, it will be hard to see the Blues go away from him if he continues to hold his form, but another tough showing in next year's could see selectors eyes start to wander, with two prime candidates waiting in the wing.
Is it Moses' time to shine?
The most obvious replacement would be Mitchell Moses, the Parramatta Eels halfback who starred in Cleary's absence during the victorious 2024 series.
Moses also partnered Cleary in the halves during Game 1 of this year's series, a win, playing in the number six jersey.
Your Origin II player of the match, Mitchell Moses! 👏 #Origin pic.twitter.com/hrQdvY2UJo
— NRL (@NRL) June 26, 2024
The Parramatta star has been something of a good luck charm for the Blues in recent years, with the last NSW win without Moses coming back in 2022, and his absence notable in the two losses the Blues took this series.
"Mitch has been in consistently good form for many years now but none better than 2024," Parramatta Manager of Football Mark O’Neill said earlier this year.
"The way he performed in Origin last year was outstanding and proved that he belongs in that arena."
If the Cleary era is coming to a close, then it will be Moses who would be next in line, with both the form and the history backing up why he belongs in the arena.
Generation Next: Isaiya Katoa
If Cleary is now, and Moses comes after, then the future of the Blues at number seven is all-but guaranteed to be Dolphins wonderkid Isaiya Katoa.
Katoa has already been flagged as one to watch for the Blues, and Cleary has even taken him under his wing, grooming him to be the heir apparent to the halfback position.
'He could be one of the great number sevens!' 🙌
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) June 9, 2025
Isaiya Katoa has been excellent for the Dolphins this year... and his latest performance has sparked some HUGE praise ⭐ 👉 https://t.co/iymSHsHaNv pic.twitter.com/fqi37kvPDv
There was even some chatter about blooding the 21-year-old in Game 3 if Cleary was unable to play due to injury, which shows just what the NRL world thinks about the 2023 Rookie of the Year.
"He’s my favourite player to watch in the comp at the moment," Cleary said about Katoa this season.
"He came through the Penrith junior system, so I got to know him a little bit there, and always knew he had the talent, and would amount to great things.
"But how quickly he’s done it, it’s been incredible. The things he’s doing this year have been unbelievable, especially for someone his age. He’s great to watch, and a great kid as well."
One potential solution could be a combination of Katoa and Moses in the halves, giving both an opportunity to show what they have got at this level.
More than anything, it shows that the Blues clearly have the talent at the position to make an impact, meaning Cleary has plenty of work to do if he wishes to keep his position and complete an Origin redemption story.