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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.
“Strain of the hammy. Nothing major, but just too risky only 48 hours out from a game,” Daley said.
“Ethan Strange will start, and Matt Burton will come to the bench. Big loss, but like Origin, you expect nothing different; there’s always unexpected things that happen. We’ve got a really good, strong group of men. It won’t faze them, they’ll just move on.”
Daley said the unexpected switch in the halves wouldn’t change the way NSW approaches the game.
“It doesn’t change a great deal. I think we’ve trained well this week,” Daley said.
“Rep football is you working with the best of the best, so you lose a player, you get a good player to replace him, and I know that might sound ruthless, but if we’re relying on one player, then we’re not a very good team.”
NSW captain Isaah Yeo said he was disappointed for Moses, but excited about the versatility Strange could bring to the team.
“I was lucky enough to go on tour with him in the Ashes, and he was a sponge over there, but we [Penrith] played him a couple of weeks ago, and we all laughed at half-time about how hard he was to tackle,” Yeo said.
“He can step in on short notice, and not many can do that...just super excited for him. Obviously, disappointed for Mitch, but it gives Ethan a wonderful opportunity, and he’ll do a great job.”
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.”
Queensland has firmed in betting since news of the injury cloud around Moses became public.
More to come.
