Why Mitchell Moses may have only 80 minutes to prove he can save NSW
By Adam Pengilly and Michael Chammas
Mitchell Moses could be left with just 80 minutes to prove he can help solve NSW’s expanding injury crisis as Blues coach Michael Maguire licks his wounds after a disastrous weekend.
Moses, who hasn’t played for seven weeks after breaking his foot, will be named in Parramatta’s squad for the Magic Round showdown with Melbourne next weekend. Maguire is desperately searching for halves alternatives after Nathan Cleary’s latest hamstring tear on Friday ensured the Penrith No.7 will play no part in the upcoming series.
But despite having his most significant test on his injured foot in a field session on Saturday, Moses is not considered a certain starter for the struggling Eels in Brisbane.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur won’t risk Moses if he is not fully fit, and will instead wait until the Eels take on the last-placed Rabbitohs in round 12 for his star halfback’s comeback game.
That match will take place just 24 hours before Maguire sits down to finalise his NSW team for game one, and could mean Moses has just one match to prove he can deputise for Cleary as he did in two matches of last year’s series.
On Sunday, the Panthers confirmed Cleary had suffered a grade two hamstring tear before limping from the field in the three-time defending premiers’ win over the Bulldogs on Friday night.
Mitchell Moses is on the cusp of a return from injury.Credit: Getty
Penrith are not expecting Cleary to return until round 20 against the Dolphins, meaning he is long odds to take on the Broncos in a grand final rematch in round 18. The Panthers have the bye between games against the two Queensland teams.
Cronulla star Nicho Hynes, who missed his side’s stirring top-of-the-table win over the Storm on Saturday night, is also walking a selection tightrope after suffering a minor calf strain in training. He’s expected to be available for the Magic Round showdown with the Roosters.
Despite the Roosters sparkling in a big win over the Warriors on Sunday, there are concerns for Maguire stemming from the match after NSW hopefuls Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Angus Crichton were placed on report.
Suaalii appeared to lift his knees into Wayde Egan while carrying the ball in the first half, an incident which left the Warriors star bleeding.
It’s not the first time Suaalii, who is vying for a vacant Blues wing position, has been in hot water for the action. He served a three-match suspension last year for collecting Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney with his unusual running gait.
Suaalii was also placed on report late in the dying minutes of the Warriors match for a late tackle, while Crichton will have a nervous wait for the match review committee findings on Monday after being put on report for tripping.
The fallout from a wild round started for Maguire on Thursday night when Manly’s Tom Trbojevic also tore a hamstring. It means he will miss the entire series, and also severely dents the Sea Eagles’ top eight hopes.
Another walk-up starter, Cameron Murray, will be unavailable for selection in game one with a hip flexor injury.
One potential positive for NSW was the form of Luke Keary in Sunday’s win over the Warriors.
Roosters skipper James Tedesco said five-eighth Luke Keary wouldn’t look out of place in an Origin jersey. “He’s the most consistent half, he’s been playing really well all year,” Tedesco said. “Who knows, there’s obviously a lot going on there in the halves, injuries and people available, but I’m sure Kez would fit in, 100 per cent.”
Keary was placed on report for a chicken-win tackle in the Warriors match. The NRL match review committee will announce on Monday whether he faces suspension.
Queensland have their own problems with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Gilbert and Kalyn Ponga to all miss the Origin series with long-term problems.
But Maguire’s bid to find another centre alongside Stephen Crichton was given a boost over the weekend with Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs and Newcastle’s Bradman Best shining in their respective teams’ wins.
Staggs is eyeing only his second Origin match after hurting his shoulder in the 2022 series opener.
“It was the right time [to be chosen], but I just got injured and carried it for the rest of the season,” he said. “Unfortunately, that’s what happens in Origin. I’ve learnt a lot more [since then]. I was rushed in at the back end and I feel like I’m ready now.
“I’ve got a lot more focus on my defence. My attack’s there, and I’ve matured a lot more as a player. It’s the toughest footy out there, the best of the best, and I hopefully I get a chance again. I will take it with both hands. I feel like I’ve got a lot to prove.
“I feel sorry for [Trbojevic] when he goes down like that. He’s a great player, and we want him on the field.”
with Billie Eder
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