For years, NSW have preached that State of Origin jerseys are earned, not gifted. Players are told that if they perform on the biggest stage, they’ll keep their spot, regardless of age, reputation or experience. Yet just two weeks after Ethan Strange starred in one of the greatest Origin comebacks ever seen, the Blues have completely abandoned that principle.
Mitchell Moses is a quality player. Nobody is questioning that.
But what exactly has he done in the last three weeks to deserve taking Strange’s spot?
The answer is simple: nothing.
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Because while Strange was helping NSW overturn a 20-point deficit and win Game One, Moses was sitting on the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury that had already ruled him out of the series opener.
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And yet somehow, despite not playing Origin, despite not playing football for weeks and despite carrying the risk that comes with any recent hamstring injury, Moses walks straight back into the side.
It’s the type of decision that has haunted NSW for decades.
Ethan Strange Did Everything Asked Of Him
The most frustrating part of this selection is that Strange didn’t merely survive his debut.
He excelled.
The Canberra playmaker ran for 135 metres, scored a try, produced two line-break assists and looked completely unfazed by the Origin arena.
He brought energy.
He brought unpredictability.
Most importantly, he helped win the game.
NSW coaches constantly tell players to take their opportunity when it comes.
Strange took his.
Then the Blues immediately took it away.
If a player can perform at that level in his Origin debut and still lose his position, what message does that send to every young player coming through the system?
Apparently the jersey is only yours until a more established player becomes available.
The Blues Are Gambling On Fitness
The decision becomes even more baffling when considering Moses’ circumstances.
The Parramatta halfback hasn’t played since mid-May and was still under an injury cloud heading into camp. NSW coach Laurie Daley even set deadlines around proving his fitness before naming him for Melbourne.
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At one stage this week Moses was being managed away from full training as the Blues carefully monitored his recovery.
So NSW are replacing a player who just starred in an Origin win with a player returning from a hamstring injury and several weeks on the sidelines.
How many times has this movie ended well for the Blues?
NSW’s Obsession With Reputation Has Burned Them Before
One of the biggest criticisms levelled at NSW throughout the Queensland dynasty era was their constant tendency to pick names rather than form.
The Blues repeatedly shuffled combinations, recalled experienced players based on reputation and abandoned combinations after a single game.
Queensland built dynasties through trust and continuity.
NSW built selection controversies.
Whether it was the revolving door of halves during the 2006-2017 period, the constant changes around Mitchell Pearce’s partners, or repeatedly reverting to established stars instead of rewarding incumbents, the Blues often created instability when stability was needed most.
The irony is that Laurie Daley appeared to be moving away from that mentality in 2026.
He picked debutants.
He rewarded form.
He gave young players opportunities.
Then, at the first available opportunity, NSW reverted straight back to the old habit of selecting the bigger name.
What Happens If NSW Lose?
That’s the question nobody inside Blues camp wants to answer.
Because if Moses struggles, or worse, if he aggravates the hamstring, attention will immediately return to the man who shouldn’t have lost his spot.
Nobody would have questioned NSW sticking with Strange.
He earned that right.
If the Blues had lost with Strange, fans would have accepted it because he deserved another opportunity.
But if NSW lose after dropping a player who was one of their best in Game One, the scrutiny will be relentless.
Especially because the risk was entirely self-inflicted.
The Verdict
Mitchell Moses is an Origin-quality player and one of the best halfbacks in the competition.
That isn’t the point.
The point is that Ethan Strange earned the right to keep his jersey.
Origin should be about form, performance and rewarding players who stand up when the pressure is at its highest. Strange did exactly that.
NSW had a young player who delivered on debut, helped engineer an historic comeback and showed every sign of being ready for the Origin arena for years to come.
Instead of backing him, the Blues have once again fallen in love with reputation.
Maybe Moses comes back and dominates.
Maybe NSW win comfortably and nobody talks about this decision again.
But if they don’t, if the Blues lose Game Two or Moses is anything less than his best, this selection will join a long list of NSW decisions that looked unnecessary from the moment they were made.
Because after all these years, the Blues still haven’t learnt the simplest lesson in Origin football.
If a player wins you a game, don’t take his jersey off him.
