NSW State of Origin watch: Mitch Moses struggles in final audition, Latrell Mitchell meets with Michael Maguire
Locked in a battle for the Blues’ No.7 jersey, Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses fell short after being outplayed by Roosters star Luke Keary. But was it enough? See the latest NSW selection news.
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It wasn’t the knockout performance Michael Maguire would have been looking for but it may have just been enough for Mitchell Moses to reclaim the NSW halfback jersey.
Moses is on the brink of an Origin recall with Nicho Hynes under significant pressure to retain his spot ahead of Origin II. But Moses’ two matches in five days failed to produce any real moments which would lead to Maguire having little choice but to pick him.
In fact if it was a head to head battle against Rooster opposite Luke Keary it would have been a points win for Keary – who was a squad member in Origin I.
Hynes, Moses and Cody Walker remain locked in a battle to partner Jarome Luai in the halves for the Blues’ in Origin II.
Moses has not been able to produce the same blistering performance that he had when he made his comeback from injury against Cronulla in round 13. After that game he would have been considered a certainty for NSW.
He was below his best in a loss against Canterbury on Monday but produced a better all round performance in Parramatta’s 28-18 loss to the Roosters on Saturday night. Moses had no try assists in either of his past two games.
He did score an important try late in the first half after he supported big men Junior Paulo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard who combined before Moses showed his speed to support in the middle of the field to score.
His kicking game was decent and he laid on one repeat set.
At least this time around Maguire has decisions to make given the availability of Walker and Moses who weren’t fit in the lead-up to the opening Origin game.
Keary’s performance was highlighted by a try-saving effort on Blaize Talagi in the opening half with a desperate stop for what appeared to be a certain try.
While former NSW captain James Tedesco seems destined to lose his grip on the no.1 jersey to Dylan Edwards, he showed he will be ready should be called upon again by laying on two tries.
Roosters duo Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu came through the game unscathed while Blues’ hopeful Connor Watson did little to diminish his hopes after playing 80 minutes in the middle of the field.
—Michael Carayannis
MADGE, MITCHELL MEET AHEAD OF SQUAD REVEAL
—David Riccio and Michael Carayannis
These are the photos that prove there is nothing left stopping Latrell Mitchell from returning for NSW.
Any speculation that Mitchell and Blues head coach Michael Maguire were at loggerhead over his willingness to wear the sky blue jersey has been laid to rest.
Smiling alongside Maguire, Mitchell gave a thumbs up for the cameras at a South Sydney lunch that he was willing and ready to help rescue the Blues against Queensland.
Following two impressive performances for the Rabbitohs, Mitchell is set to return to the Origin arena for the first time since 2021 for the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
Maguire and Mitchell put to bed any perceived issues between the pair during a 10-year reunion of the 2014 Rabbitohs on Saturday.
It was all smiles at Souths Junior with Mitchell making his way over to the Blues coach to have a one-on-one chat in the relaxed environment.
The pair sat together for almost 15 minutes discussing what would obviously be the biggest talking point in the game – his anticipated return to the Blues.
Mitchell picked up a rib problem on Friday night and was seen icing it in the sheds after the game. While he is in no doubt to take his place on Wednesday week if he is picked, it is understood that Mitchell will be unable to train early in the week as part of NSW’s preparations.
Rabbitohs coach Ben Hornby said Mitchell was feeling the injury on Saturday morning.
“He is sore,” Hornby told ABC Sport. “It’s going to be sore for a little bit. I’m not sure where he’s at with the NSW side.
“We think he will be OK.
Every member of the Rabbitohs squad attended the function which saw Maguire enjoy the company of the premiership-winning side he coached to the title 10 years ago.
The function was also used as an opportunity to raise funds for the family of premiership-winning player Kyle Turner, who sadly died last year.
The luncheon formed the backdrop to a hectic weekend for Maguire, who also had the opportunity to speak with Murray, following his first match in seven weeks on Friday night.
Murray is in line to earn a bench spot with Raiders forward Hudson Young believed to be the man most under pressure.
The Rabbitohs captain was asked following the Bunnies upset win over the Broncos if he felt he was ready to play Origin off the back of one club game.
“Yes (I would be),’’ Murray replied.
“I’ll never say no to a New South Wales jumper if I’m ready.
“I love the jump (to Origin level). I love playing for the Blues, I just have to see how we go (with selection).’’
But it’s Mitchell who leads an all-star cast of NSW stars available for Maguire ahead of Sunday’s series-defining team announcement.
Dylan Edwards, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, Roosters utility Connor Watson, Murray and Mitchell are all frontrunners to feature in Maguire’s 20-man squad for game two.
Moses was unavailable prior to game one due to a foot injury, leading to the selection of Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes.
Edwards and Penrith teammate Liam Martin (foot) have been cleared to play against Newcastle on Sunday.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said he would love nothing more than to see Edwards earn his State of Origin debut after he was left shattered when forced to withdraw ahead of game one due to a quad strain, prompting the call-up of James Tedesco.
“I’d be really happy for him (if Edwards was selected for game two),’’ Cleary said.
“I’m very proud of the journey that he’s been on. The football that he’s played the last few years has been just so consistent and is getting better.
“I think he’d be a real addition to the Blues.
“I thought he took it really well.
“It was an unfortunate incident obviously, but he got to stay in camp with the Blues.
“He got to experience that and he’s back firing (now), so it could’ve been worse.’’
In a further boost for Maguire, NSW bench forward Haumole Olakau’atu has also been cleared of a calf injury to be available to play for Manly against St George-Illawarra on Sunday.
“He’s good to go,’’ Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said of his powerful backrower.
“He trained on Thursday. He had his scans on Monday which cleared him of any strain or tear, which is great news for us.
“He’ll play tomorrow and we’re a better side when Haumole is in our team.’’
NSW will enter camp on Tuesday where they will again build their preparation out of the spotlight in the Blue Mountains.
Caption this 😉 pic.twitter.com/CVV20HyPRe
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🰠(@SSFCRABBITOHS) June 15, 2024
MITCHELL GIVES MADGE NO CHOICE
—Brent Read
Latrell Mitchell can start packing his bags for Melbourne. After Mitchell’s performance at Accor Stadium on Friday night, NSW coach Michael Maguire has no choice.
Mitchell has to be part of his side for a must-win State of Origin game at the MCG in just under a fortnight.
A week after tormenting the Gold Coast Titans, Mitchell ran roughshod over the Brisbane Broncos.
He laid down a marker with a long break early in the match that only ended when he was ankle tapped by Jordan Riki with the tryline beckoning.
There was no way anyone was going to stop Mitchell midway through the opening half when he took the ball close to the line and crashed over Jock Madden and Kotoni Staggs.
It was devastating and sent an emphatic message to Maguire, who was no doubt watching with interest given the importance of the trip to Melbourne and one of the most iconic venues in the country.
Fittingly, one of rugby league’s most iconic stars looks set to take his place in a sky blue jersey.
Maguire had overlooked Mitchell for the opening game of the series amid questions over South Sydney star’s form and commitment to the cause.
Mitchell responded to the latter claim by posting a missive on social media in which he said: “I bleed blue.”
He responded to the former claim by producing a star turn against the Titans and backed that up against the Broncos on a wet night at Accor Stadium.
He was a constant threat to the Broncos, not only with his running game but with his aerial attack. Time and again he sent the ball soaring into the air and causing drama for Tristan Sailor and Deine Mariner.
He could do no wrong. When Souths were down to 12 men following the sin-binning of Richie Kennar, Mitchell produced a strip as the Rabbitohs desperately defended their own line.
When referee Adam Gee ruled there were two in the tackle, Mitchell called for a captain’s challenge. He won.
He then turned assist King in the second half as he laid on a try for Alex Johnson with a peach of a pass. As Johnston slid over, Mitchell started celebrating.
The only sour note was a sin-binning of his own after he ran in to defend captain Cameron Murray, who had been decked by a late shot from Riki in the second half.
Mitchell was infuriated that his skipper was hit off the ball. He raced in and shoved Riki in the chest, sparking a melee that left Gee with no choice but to intervene.
He may yet face a charge from the match review committee over the incident and perhaps an anxious wait. Anything more than a grade one would mean a ban, although surely the judiciary Gods aren’t that cruel.
That aside, it was the sort of performance that would send shudders down the spine of Queensland and their coach Billy Slater.
Mitchell has been a thorn in their side before, although his last appearance for the Blues was three years ago.
Injury cost him the chance last year but this year was all about Maguire going in a different direction.
He ignored Mitchell once, but surely he can’t do it twice as the Souths talisman moved into the box seat to replace the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalli in the centres.
Suaalii, suspended after a high shot on Reece Walsh in Origin I that resulted in his dismissal and the Queensland star being knocked out of Origin I and Friday night’s trip to Sydney, won’t be back in time for Origin II.
The spot is vacant and Mitchell has emphatically put his hand up. Among Mitchell’s main competitors for the spot, Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien had a mixed game on Thursday night against the Dolphins and Staggs had his colours lowered on Friday night.
The Bulldogs’ Matt Burton is also in the mix but he may be better served for NSW on the bench, particularly with Mitchell producing one of his better performances of the season.
He has played fullback all year for Souths but he has done the job for NSW at centre before and the position won’t be a problem. Nor will the stage. The bigger the arena, the better he usually performs.
If Friday night was any indication, he is in the mood. He just needs Maguire to give him the green light …. and the sky blue jersey.
D-DAY ARRIVES FOR MITCH MOSES
—David Riccio
Mitchell Moses’ Day of Reckoning has arrived with the Parramatta halfback needing to show his trademark qualities to secure a NSW jersey.
An 80-minute performance is required by Moses as NSW State of Origin coach Michael Maguire aims to make as few changes to his Origin II team as possible.
Maguire will announce his NSW team to save the series against Queensland on Sunday night.
Aside from a required change at centre to replace the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, this masthead understands Maguire is looking mainly at only small crop of players that weren’t available for Origin I.
That includes fullback Dylan Edwards, Rabbitohs forward Cameron Murray, Roosters utility Connor Watson and Moses.
Origin II will be held at the MCG in Melbourne on June 26, with NSW commencing their preparation for the must-win match on Monday.
Moses is in the running to replace Game 1 halfback Nicho Hynes and will get a final say against the Roosters at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
The Eels playmaker needs to step up from where he fell short last Monday against the Bulldogs, when, with the game on the line, Moses was unable to drive the blue-and-gold to victory.
Moses missed the chance to play in Origin I due to being sidelined with a fractured foot.
Key to his potential return to the Blues side for the first time since helping steer NSW to a game three win alongside Cody Walker last year, is Moses’ kicking game.
According to the Fox Sports Lab, Moses is ranked fourth for most average kick meters per game with 474-metres.
Injured Raiders half Jamal Fogarty leads the competition with 577 kick metres per game.
It’s anticipated that Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai will retain his NSW Blues jersey.
Having worked tirelessly to embed a new direction, spirit and belief within the Blues jersey, Maguire is loathe to rip his game-one team apart.
There’s a feeling within the Blues camp that such was their stoic performance to remain in the fight against Queensland with 12 men for 73 minutes that the majority of the side will be given a second chance.
Aside from the centre spot, any changes that are made will be due to the return from injury of a player that wasn’t previously available for game one.
Edwards only needs to prove his elite-level running game when he comes back on Sunday for Penrith to achieve his Origin dream and replace James Tedesco.
The champion fullback was a dramatic omission just 72 hours prior to Origin I due to a quad complaint.
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