Benny Elias and Ricky Stuart trade Mitchell Moses barbs ahead of Eels-Raiders NRL semi-final

Ricky Stuart has piled the pressure on Eels halfback Mitchell Moses to back up a bold claim from his uncle, Benny Elias, about Parramatta’s chances against the Raiders.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.

Benny Elias has declared his nephew Mitchell Moses’s inclusion in Parramatta’s side for Friday night’s NRL semi-final has made the Eels “certainties” to defeat the Raiders.

But his comments have prompted an immediate and strong response from Canberra coach Ricky Stuart, who fired back that the Eels halfback now gets the chance to prove that he can “perform under pressure” and show “why he is on so much money”.

Elias, the former Balmain, NSW and Test hooker, was unequivocal in his belief that Moses would lead the Eels to victory.

Moses was passed fit to play on Thursday after completing stringent protocol tests and training without issue at Parramatta’s captain’s run on Wednesday evening.

Mitchell Moses has found himself in the firing line. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Elias had no issue with his nephew playing a week after a sickening head knock sustained against Penrith.

“Mitch is the man,” said Elias, who played 234 games for Balmain and 22 State of Origin matches for NSW.

“There was no way in the world they could have won without him.

“Now that he’s playing, Parramatta are certainties. And I’m a mate of ‘Sticky’ (Stuart). Mitch will make the difference on Friday night. He will make a massive difference.

“When Mitch was replaced last weekend, they weren’t the same side. James Tedesco came off for the Roosters and they weren’t the same side. It was the same.

“Mitch almost touches the ball more than the nine (dummy half). He directs the play, he’s the kicker, goalkicker, the tactician … there’s no one more important than that.”

With Moses a confirmed starter, Parramatta are $1.52 favourites, according to TAB, with Canberra $2.55 outsiders.

“It puts massive, massive pressure on Mitch but he doesn’t mind pressure, he actually encourages it,” Elias said.

“Big players, big games, mate. And you’ll see that on Friday night.”

Stuart fired back when approached on Thursday night, adding some spice ahead of the massive semi-final at CommBank Stadium.

“Well, if that makes them certainties then he (Moses) gets his chance now to stand up and show his Uncle Benny that he can do it, perform under pressure,” Stuart said.

“That’s what all the best halves do and why he is on so much money to win these games for his team.”

Ricky Stuart and Benny Elias.

Elias said he spoke with Moses on Wednesday about the after effects of the head knock he suffered trying to tackle Viliame Kikau during Parramatta’s 27-8 loss to Penrith last week.

“He’s 100 per cent,” Elias said. “I’m not worried at all. He was positive and the medical team was positive.

“He is mentally and physically fine. There won’t be an issue. I think the game is doing a lot to protect players.”

Even as early as Monday, Moses indicated he was ready to play the Raiders.

“I feel good,” Moses said. “Obviously it didn’t look too good. I got my head in the wrong spot and was out cold. I didn’t really have any (symptoms).

“I actually wanted to go back out onto the field. Obviously with how it was, it didn’t look too good so I obviously couldn’t.”

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Originally published as Benny Elias and Ricky Stuart trade Mitchell Moses barbs ahead of Eels-Raiders NRL semi-final