Johns regularly phones Cleary to talk about his performances, and he has declared that the NSW playmaker is set to dominate Origin like he did two decades ago.
Nathan Cleary still gets excited when he sees Andrew Johns’ name flash up on his phone.
Cleary grew up idolising Johns and the pair have formed a close relationship as he has grown from the shy 20-year-old debutant in 2018 to become NSW’s best halfback since the Immortal was coaxed out of representative retirement in 2005. Johns, who made 23 appearances for the Blues from 1995, regularly phones Cleary to talk about his performances, and on the eve of this year’s series he has declared that the Panthers playmaker was ready to dominate Origin like he did two decades ago.“The next four or five years - fingers crossed he stays injury free - you are going to see a different player,” Johns said."You are going to see a player totally elevate himself in the game.
The two-times premiership winning former Knights halfback has been a member of the NSW coaching staff during Cleary’s 13 games in the Blues No.7 jersey but he has been less involved with him in the lead up to Wednesday night’s series opener in Adelaide.
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