NSW level series in Perth as debutant gambles pay off for Fittler

NSW debutant Matt Burton proved the perfect foil for Nathan Cleary, easing the pressure on the halfback’s kicking game as the Blues squared the series with a 44-12 win over Queensland.

In Origin I, Cleary was hounded every time he put boot to ball in Sydney because he was more or less the Blues’ sole kicking outlet.

The Maroons’ defensive pressure knocked him off his game that night but he responded perfectly in Origin II in Perth with former Penrith teammate Burton by his side at Optus Stadium.

The introduction of the Canterbury five-eighth at centre placed doubt in the minds of the Queensland defence and afforded Cleary more space to get his kicks away.

Burton was on debut for the Blues but looked every bit a regular at this level as he scored NSW’s opening try and his six towering torpedo kicks troubled the Maroons each time they were hoisted into the sky.

How NSW coach Brad Fittler changes his side with Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell potentially available for Origin III will be fascinating.

The Blues trained all week for a scenario where Burton would come in from the centre and assume kicking duties from five-eighth Jarome Luai and Cleary.

By the end of the game NSW had the upper hand in possession (59 per cent) and field position (71 per cent), with Cleary still dominating the share of the Blues’ kicking (15/24 kicks).

Cleary’s best of the night was a deft chip behind Queensland winger Selwyn Cobbo which forced a goal-line dropout in the second half.

On the following set, Luai was able to score as the pressure eventually told on the Maroons.

Cleary then scored two of his own with Burton chiming in with his spiralling bombs to place doubt in the mind of the Maroons’ back three.

Queensland wingers Murray Taulagi (94 metres) and Cobbo (60m) both had difficulty getting the Maroons out of their own end because of the efforts of Burton and Cleary.

That meant the Maroons were always coming off the back foot and Patrick Carrigan was the only Queensland forward to clock up more than 100m with the ball in hand.