Laurie Daley plans to pick Mitchell Moses at number six alongside Nathan Cleary should he make it through Parramatta’s King’s Birthday clash against the Bulldogs unscathed on Monday, which would mean Ethan Strange reverts to the six-man bench for Game II.
Many had expected Strange to keep his spot at five-eighth after what was one of the best State of Origin debuts the NRL world has ever seen, but Daley — often found going against the grain — will instead go back to his original plans.
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Moses had been lined up to play as New South Wales’ six in the series opener, but strained his hamstring while doing extras at training and was forced to miss out.
Strange was genuinely one of the best on-field for either team in the Wednesday night clash under lights, and then backed that up with another BOG performance for the Canberra Raiders when he returned to clubland. Meanwhile, Moses has yet to play an NRL game and may yet be pulling up somewhat sore from his strain.
And, yet, Laurie has already decided. “Mitch did all the training, all our major sessions,” Daley told Channel 7’s Agenda Setters program on Monday. “We all know what a quality player Mitch Moses is, and he’s a big part of the team. Obviously, he’s missed the last couple of State of Origin games, but he’s a big part of our team.”
“His style of footy – with his kicking game, his ability to organise, his ability to pass – is different to Ethan’s,” he added. “But if they’re both fit, they’ll be there somewhere.”
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This Sporting Base writer obviously doesn’t have the bird’s eye view in every moment between games that Laurie does, but I still can’t feel a bit confused. Strange has earned his spot in the Game II side and showed a different style to what Cleary at halfback offered — which was a great thing as the combo guided NSW to an unlikely 22–20 comeback.
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That Daley can’t see that and wants to go back to the Moses well (and nothing against Moses, he’s a great halfback, too) genuinely boggles the mind; I have been loudly in the ‘Laurie Out’ camp for some time now, and this won’t help things.
Elsewhere, Stephen Crichton is also expected to keep his spot in the side should be escape from some injury niggles (another baffling choice by Laurie, I must say).
Jacob Kiraz and Wayde Egan are also strong chances to join the squad.
