CONCLUDED: Cleary to miss eight weeks as NSW Origin woes mount

After scans revealed that NSW halfback Nathan Cleary has a grade two hamstring injury that will keep him out of action for eight weeks, Cleary may miss the entire State of Origin series.

In Penrith’s 16-10 victory against Canterbury on Friday night, the champion playmaker re-injured his right hamstring. This was a devastating setback for the Blues, who already had several important players out with injuries.

After hamstringing himself for the second time in as many months, Cleary departed the field just before halftime. The Panthers confirmed the diagnosis in a statement released on Sunday.

The team released a statement saying, “Scans revealed a grade 2 hamstring tear which will see Cleary ruled out for eight weeks.”

This indicates that Cleary will miss Origin I on June 5 at Accor Stadium in Sydney and the second game on June 26 at the MCG. He may or may not be eligible to play in Origin III on July 17 in Brisbane.

A calf issue kept Blues halves option Nicho Hynes out of Cronulla’s victory over Melbourne on Saturday night, but Cleary would have been a lock for new NSW coach Michael Maguire.

The Sharks stated it was merely a precaution and hoped he would be ready for their Magic Round matchup in Brisbane on Saturday night against the Sydney Roosters.

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon stated after the game, “We haven’t had a great deal of time to assess it but I’d suggest it’s not significant though so he’s a good chance (for next week)”.

Normally, Mitch Moses would be the top choice to succeed two-time Clive Churchill medalist Cleary, but the Parramatta playmaker is beset with injuries of his own.

Moses is not guaranteed to play against Melbourne on Sunday, but he may make a comeback from a foot injury.

A hamstring injury is also set to keep Manly and Blues backline star Tom Trbojevic out of action for seven weeks.

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