Nathan Cleary has backed halves partner Jarome Luai to step up for Penrith and NSW while the star No.7 works to avoid surgery for a return to the field this season.
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Cleary has forgone a season-ending operation to try and rehabilitate a shoulder injury he suffered playing for the Blues in Sunday night's Origin series sealer, turning the keys to the teams over to close mate Luai.
The young Panthers five-eighth is just two games into his Origin career but has already been the centre of attention for his polarising confidence this series.
But it's that same effervescent personality and sharp competitiveness that has Cleary confident Luai can handle anything that comes his way.
"People have been doubting him all year, doubting whether he would step up at Origin and stuff like that, he's done more than that," Cleary said ahead of Friday night's clash with Parramatta.
"This is another challenge for him and I'm very confident that he'll do the job and do it well.
"He's obviously a great player and he's getting better as a leader and I think he's looking forward to a bit of extra responsibility."
The Panthers are hot favourites for the NRL premiership, but Cleary's injury will come as a blow to their chances if he's unable to rehab the shoulder and must undergo surgery.
Luai has been named at halfback to face the Eels with Matt Burton moving in as five-eighth.
Coach Ivan Cleary said while Luai's Origin experience will be a bonus in terms of leadership, his only job will be to be himself.
"His experience in Origin can only be positive," Ivan Cleary said.
"He went into the Origin series with plenty of question marks over him and even going into game two there was a lot of media attention centred around him for some reason.
"The biggest thing that he did, he was himself, he played his own style which is what got him there in the first place, and that shows a fair bit of mentality that he has, and yes, confidence, but he's a team player.
"He doesn't need to carry our team, he just needs to play how he always does. I'm sure that'll certainly be enough for us."
Even so, the Panthers are banking on Cleary's return for a run to the finals.
The 23-year-old halfback suffered the injury in the 10th minute of Sunday night's 26-0 win and bravely played through the pain, not letting on that he was hurt to avoid becoming a target for the Queensland attack.
He's hoping to return within four to six weeks and has blocked out all negativity - including entertaining the option that he might have to undergo surgery at any point if his shoulder doesn't respond.
Australian Associated Press
