Ivan Cleary has launched a passionate defence of NSW halfback and son Nathan, saying the days of representative teams being based on form are "long gone". Penrith's disastrous NRL season has not only resulted in them occupying last spot, but left Nathan under serious pressure to retain his spot for State of Origin I. Former Blues No.7 Adam Reynolds is widely considered the main threat to Nathan's jumper after steering South Sydney to the top of the table. The selection dilemma has rekindled debate between loyalty and form ahead of Sunday's NSW Origin team announcement on Sunday night. However Ivan believes representative coaches in the modern era have shifted away from picking teams solely on how they are currently performing. "It may have been one day about picking the players that are in form. That's been long gone," Ivan said on Wednesday. "Rep teams haven't been picked like that for as long as I can remember." The Penrith coach claims the unrelenting pressure on representative coaches to succeed has forced them to select teams they believe can win the game.
