Jarome Luai to replace injured Mitchell Moses for State of Origin Game 2

Jarome Luai is set to be called on to make his State of Origin return after the Blues were rocked by a star’s shock blow at training.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is backing Jarome Luai’s combination with Nathan Cleary to get the job done next week after the Blues were dealt a massive blow with five-eighth Mitch Moses ruled out with a calf injury six days out from the second State of Origin match.

Moses had been experiencing calf tightness and that turned into a strain during a training session on Thursday at NSW camp in the Blue Mountains.

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He was set to partner Nathan Cleary against the Maroons, but the door has opened for Luai to rejoin his former Penrith teammate in a Blues jersey.

It’s a massive blow for the Blues given Moses was one of NSW’s best players in last year’s series decider and he combined well with Cleary in Game 1.

But after claiming consecutive wins at Suncorp Stadium for the first time in 27 years, NSW’s halves pairing will have to change for Game 2 in Perth next Wednesday.

The Blues could have picked Matt Burton, but the Bulldogs five-eighth will remain 18th man with Daley turning to Luai who got the call after Wests Tigers training and is expected to join his teammates in Leura on Thursday night.

Mitchell Moses injured his calf at NSW training in the Blue Mountains. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Luai was overlooked for the opening game as selectors, including coach Daley, instead turned to Moses who was impressive, inspirational in the Game 1 win at Suncorp Stadium.

“Unfortunately Mitch Moses suffered a calf strain this morning at training, about 20 minutes into the session,” Blues’ team performance manager Frank Ponissi said.

“He’s been ruled out of State of Origin II. We’re not sure about the severity at this stage. Our medical team is working with the Parramatta Eels medical team. He’ll have scans and return to Parramatta.”

“It’s terrible, isn’t it,” Daley said of the injury to Moses.

“Mitch played really well in Game 1 and started off looking really good this week, but he injured his calf today.

“We’re unsure of how bad it is, but he won’t be any good for Wednesday with the short turnaround so we’ve had to rule him out.”

Jarome Luai and Matt Burton are the contenders to replace Moses at five-eighth.

Burton was 18th man in the opening game as cover for centre Stephen Crichton, having made the first of two appearances for NSW in 2022.

Luai has played 10 games for NSW and won four premierships with Cleary at Penrith before joining the Wests Tigers this season.

The Blues confirmed Luai will come into the squad to replace Moses in the No. 6 jersey, reuniting with Cleary.

The pair faced off in opposing teams for the first time last weekend as the Panthers defeated the Tigers, with Luai embracing his former teammates post-game.

“He’s won four grand finals and he won the Origin series last year so I think that everyone will have a lot of confidence and faith in him,” Daley said, with Cleary and Luai to start in the halves for NSW for the first time since Game 1 of 2023.

“I don’t know Jarome that well, but I think he’d believe in himself as well that he could come in on short notice and do the job.

Jarome Luai will replace Moses as NSW No.6. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“There’ll only be a couple of training sessions, but the fact that he’s played with that left edge last year is an advantage for us. It’s not like you’re bringing in someone who hasn’t played with those players.

“I’m disappointed for Mitch, but I’m excited for Jarome.”

Winger Brian To’o is on track to play next Wednesday but will need to get through Saturday’s main session in Sydney unscathed before the team flies out to Perth.

Injury setbacks can rattle coaches, but Daley looked calm on the outside as he backed his side to move on from the drama.

“It’s a funny game, rugby league. With the group of guys that you’ve got, you’ve got to make sure that they’re prepared really well,” he said.

“We’ve had setbacks and challenges all the way through the campaign so far, but I’d be disappointed if the fact that we lost a guy six days out and we couldn’t cope with that.

“I think the guys are very professional. It’s not like we’re bringing in a rookie; we’re bringing in a guy who has won Origin series before and won four grand finals so he knows what he’s doing.”

Originally published as Jarome Luai to replace injured Mitchell Moses for State of Origin Game 2