NSW skipper Isaah Yeo is backing Nathan Cleary to silence his detractors, with the playmaker having the chance to join elite company if he delivers another star performance in State of Origin II.
Cleary will line up for his 19th Origin when the Blues look to seal the series at the MCG on Wednesday night.
The Penrith superstar has won nine of those matches despite having a suite of five-eighth partners including James Maloney, Cody Walker, Luke Keary, Jarome Luai, Mitchell Moses and Ethan Strange.
He will partner Moses in the halves in Melbourne as the Parramatta veteran returns from injury.
While the send-off of Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga helped the Blues mount a stunning fightback to claim the opening match in Sydney, Cleary stood up when it counted.
