Nathan Cleary’s State of Origin credentials have once again come into question as the playmaker was unable to steer NSW and clinch the series for the Blues at the MCG on Wednesday night.

Cleary arguably had his worst Origin performance of his 19-game Origin career for NSW as the 28-year-old ended the match with a staggering 10 missed tackles; the most for either side.

Cleary’s Origin record now sits at nine wins and 10 losses and significant questions have been raised about whether the four-time Premiership winner will ever exceed at Origin level.

“It’s very much a narrative depending on what side of the Tweed you fall on,” SEN’s Jimmy Smith said on SEN 1170.

“Nathan Cleary is not a flop at Origin level. Let’s be very clear about that.

“He has won three player of the match awards, he’s won multiple series (but) has never won an Origin decider.

“What he hasn’t done is dominate in the Origin arena like Wally Lewis has done, like Cameron Smith has done and Andrew Johns has done.

“Andrew Johns in 2005 had previously been pushed around in different positions and playing hooker from the bench.

“He arrived in Game II in 2005 and he was magical. Game III was a decider at Suncorp Stadium and again, he was dominant at that match.

“If Nathan Cleary goes up there to Suncorp and wins player of the match in a game that is series defining, then we can start to say that he dominates at Origin level.

“Right now, despite his three player of the match awards, Nathan Cleary does not have a dominance at State of Origin.

“Cameron Munster has had more of an imprint on Origin games and series than Nathan Cleary has had.

“I would also suggest Harry Grant has had as big an impact, maybe even bigger, on State of Origin games since Grant’s debut in Origin.

“I’m not degrading Nathan. I have a firm belief that it is going to happen.

“It just hasn’t happened yet.”

2016 Premiership winner Chad Townsend differed from Smith and believes that despite his 47% win record, Cleary has had enough match winning performances to be considered a dominant Origin player.

“When it’s all said and done, Nathan Cleary will finish as the greatest player of all time,” Townsend said on SEN 1170.

“That’s the trajectory that his career is on.

“I feel like he has dominated Origin. How many times does he need to play well for us to say that?”

“State of Origin is incredibly difficult.

“It really ticks me off. You go back to Game I and he was outstanding.”

SEN’s Andrew Voss highlighted James Tedesco’s inclusion into the NSW side and suggested the chemistry between him and Cleary is the reason for the latter’s poor Origin performances.

“I am convinced that Cleary doesn’t bring out the best in Tedesco and Tedesco doesn't bring out the best in Cleary,” Voss declared on SEN 1170.

“I don’t have any evidence of them bringing out the best in each other.

“If Tedesco doesn’t score the match winning try in Game I, I think his position comes under threat.

“I don’t think Cleary’s position is in jeopardy. I would still pick him for Game III.

“They need to sort that out soon.”

The series heads North to Suncorp Stadium on July 8 for another Origin decider.