Darren Lockyer believes Nathan Cleary is close to unseating Daly Cherry-Evans as Australia’s half-back for this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

But Cherry-Evans’ immediate concern is the home state decider on Wednesday night, which Lockyer and fellow Queenslander Sam Thaiday see as a defining chapter in the manly maestro’s reign as Maroons captain.

Cherry-Evans, installed as a successor to Greg Inglis ahead of the 2019 opener, led Queensland to just one series win from three attempts.

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However, it was supposedly the worst Queensland team in history that he led to Origin glory.

That is certainly the view of former New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen.

While Cherry-Evans may never be held in such high regard as legendary Queensland captains Arthur Beetson, Wally Lewis, Cameron Smith and Lockyer, the former Maroons Thaiday striker sees qualities in the 33-year-old that could strengthen his legacy in the Brisbane final.

“It’s probably one of the biggest tests he’s got in that State of Origin jersey, getting up at Suncorp Stadium to lead his team to victory,” Thaiday told Wide World of Sports. QLDER.

“I think he has those traits of a great captain in him.

“It will be a test for him, but I’m sure he will stand this test.”

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Thaiday and Cherry-Evans were Queensland teammates in five games between 2013, 2014 and 2015.

“It’s his chance and his opportunity to really stand out as captain (Wednesday night),” Thaiday added.

“If he wants to be known as a great Queensland captain, he has to lead the Queensland team to victory in this game and really lead by example as captain.

“I think he has that in him.”

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The pressure on Cherry-Evans may have never been greater after megastar halves partner Cameron Munster was cleared from the decider due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Queensland manager Billy Slater refuses to say whether Cowboys youngster Tom Dearden or Dragons captain Ben Hunt will replace Munster at five-eights.

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“(Cherry-Evans) is out there fighting hard and if they’re able to win on Wednesday, that elevates them to higher status,” Lockyer said.

“A lot of strikers respected (Andrew Johns) because he came in and tackled as well as they did.

“I couldn’t do that, but I was always ready to go out there and roll up my sleeves.

“I think that’s what most strikers expect from their half – to get in there and play hard.

“I think (Cherry-Evans) is capable of it, and he will have to do it on Wednesday night.”

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Lockyer believes Cleary has battled Cherry-Evans jumper Kangaroos No.7 through his recent exploits.

“I think Nathan would be the chosen half-back for his performance in Game 2. Won the premiership (NRL) last year. He’s still the best playing manager in the game,” Lockyer said.

“Daly has really full games at fullback for Manly, but every week Nathan brings (the same level).

“I said it the other day: what scares me the most as a Queenslander is that the two times NSW won a decisive game (in Brisbane) was in 1994, (when ) Ricky Stuart was at halfback, then in 2005, (when) it was (Johns) at halfback Nathan Cleary, for mine, is going in the same direction as those two.

“So this is the guy we need to stop.”

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