Updated ,first published
NSW playmaker Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of the opening State of Origin match with a hamstring injury.
Moses pulled up sore after doing extra work after training on Monday, and the decision was made not to risk him for game one against Queensland at Accor Stadium. Ethan Strange, initially named on the bench, will start in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary.
NSW coach Laurie Daley confirmed the loss of Moses at his press conference on Tuesday morning, and was optimistic the Parramatta half would be able to return for the final two games of the series.
“He’s out,” Daley said. “He’s had a strain of the hammy.
“Nothing major, but just too risky only 48 hours out from the game, so Ethan Strange will start, and Matty Burton will come to the bench.
“Big loss, but like Origin, you expect nothing different; there’s always unexpected things that happen.
“We got a really good, strong, group of young men, it won’t faze them, they’ll just move on.
“While it’s disappointing for Mitch, [he was a] big part of the team, but I think we’re a bit older and wiser knowing now that when you bring big groups of people in together, they’re going to be ready to go at any stage.
“And Ethan’s trained with us all week, so there’s no issue there.”
Daley said that Moses had not had a hamstring injury before, and it was not expected to sideline him for an extended period. The coach said the Parramatta playmaker would be considered for the rest of the series, and may even be available for Parramatta’s clash with Newcastle on Saturday.
“It’s not a … serious issue, he won’t miss a lot of football,” Daley said. “He’s just gotta get himself right, and I’m sure he will.”
Strange is one of six Blues debutants, and Daley felt he was adequately prepared to start the match.
“I’ve always loved Eth as a player,” Daley said.
I probably watch more Canberra games than any other team, to be fair, so I’ve got a fair idea on Eth as a player, and I like the way that he plays.
“At this level, if you’ve got a strong running game, and you want to challenge the defence, there’s a lot of fatigue that happens in Origin. If he just backs his instincts, he’ll play well.
“So I’m not worried about Ethan, he’ll play well.”
The withdrawal of Moses, and the outstanding kicking game that he brings, will likely put more pressure on Cleary to control the game. However, Daley refuted suggestions that the Panthers halfback hadn’t owned Origin and needed to do so for the Blues to win.
“Look, I think that that’s the storyline around Origin and Nath, but I don’t see it like that.
“For us to have success, it just has to be a team performance. If we’re relying on Nathan Cleary to go out and get man of the match, then we’re kidding ourselves.
“We’ve gotta rely on 17 guys to be able to work hard for each other. We all share the wins, we share the losses, we share every moment.
“I don’t see it like Nath has to own Origin. He’s won man of the matches, he’s been a part of winning Origin series before. It’s a big game for everyone. I’m excited, actually.”
NSW skipper Isaah Yeo said the time Strange spent on the Kangaroos tour – he was part of the touring party, but didn’t play against England – would prove beneficial.
“Ethan was a sponge over there, you could just see he was sort of gravitating particularly towards Nathan, Mitch, Cam Munster … obviously over there,” Yeo said.
“Look, they’ll be fine. We’ve obviously prepared for different things and different scenarios, so Ethan and Nathan had little moments together on the field … Ultimately, we want Ethan to be Ethan. His best attribute is when he’s running, taking the line on, and being hard to handle. I don’t think much changes for him.”
It’s a cruel blow for Moses, who has been limited to just six Origin appearances in five years due to injury. Speaking last week, the Parramatta halfback hoped his luckless run was behind him.
“It’s been no secret that I obviously haven’t had the best run of injuries the last few years,” Moses said at the time.
“I’ve been feeling really good at the moment, and coming into this Origin series I’ve been feeling really good. So, touch wood I’m injury-free this series and can punch it out. I’m excited for that challenge.”
Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
