July 7, 2026 — 7:30pmAustralia coach Kevin Walters has declared Nathan Cleary will be his No.7 should he remain fit for the World Cup, even if Queensland rival Sam Walker stars on Wednesday night and wins the Wally Lewis Medal in his debut State Origin series.Walters fronted the press in Brisbane on Tuesday to mark the 100-day countdown to the end-of-year tournament to be held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 15.Blues captain Isaah Yeo slammed the narrative that Cleary had yet to dominate the State of Origin arena, calling the claims “ridiculous” before endorsing his Penrith co-captain’s claim for a Kangaroos spot.And Walters confirmed Cleary was one of the few selection certainties.“Of course he is,” said Walters, when asked if Cleary will remain the Australian halfback if fit.“He’s always been a great player, the last couple of years I feel his game has gone to another level, and it’s really important for Nathan to play his role in the NSW side, then go back to clubland where the Panthers are leading the competition. He’s been in good touch.“[If Queensland are to stop him] I think limiting his time with the ball would be a good start.“Defensively they need to be switched on. I think him and Mitchell Moses will create a few headaches for the Maroons’ defence, but we’ve handled it so far, and I expect us to handle it again.”Walker excelled in his Sydney Origin debut and dominated game two, delivering a series highlight with a stunning no-look pass to Kalyn Ponga for an early second-half Queensland try.North Queensland playmaker Tom Dearden is also a halfback option and is expected to return from an ankle injury soon.Nathan Cleary will be the halfback for Australia, regardless of Wednesday’s Origin decider result.Janie Barrett/SMHYeo said of the Kangaroos’ halfback debate: “Sam is playing really well at the moment, but Nathan for me is the best player in the game, and that would seem fitting he would be the No. 7.“I think it’s ridiculous [the debate about Cleary’s Origin legacy]. I’m biased, he’s one of my closest mates, I’m his co-captain at Penrith. I’ve seen everything he’s done in this arena, not just at Penrith, but NSW and for Australia, and he still has so much ahead of him.“All I know is he’ll have prepared harder than anyone else out on the field in order to go out and have his best game on Wednesday night, and I look forward to seeing that.”NSW coach Laurie Daley said the decider would not define Cleary’s career.“He’s created his own legacy as a player, he’s had a lot of success, and he’s a guy who works really hard – he deserves everything that comes his way,” said Daley, who confirmed there would be no late changes to the Blues’ starting side.“I don’t buy into ‘owning Origin’. We’re not chasing individual accolades - we’re chasing a victory for the state.”More:State of OriginAustraliaNSW BluesNathan ClearyFrom our partners