Young Tigers star Mitchell Moses’s homophobic slur has robbed him of his NRL debut

YOUNG Wests Tigers star Mitchell Moses’s heat-of-the-moment homophobic slur has robbed him of his NRL debut.

YOUNG Wests Tigers star Mitchell Moses’s heat-of-the-moment homophobic slur has cost him more than tremendous embarrassment and an under-20s ban — it’s also robbed him of his NRL debut.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Wests Tigers had decided to blood Moses in first grade this Friday night against premiers Sydney Roosters before the NRL suspended the young five-eighth.News_Rich_Media: Wests Tigers Holden Cup player Mitchell Moses has been suspended for two matches after using a homophobic slur during NSW's Under 20's Origin win over Queensland on Saturday.

He will now have to wait another two weeks, if not longer, before making his top-grade debut.

Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter on Tuesday chose Blake Austin at five-eighth for the match at Allianz Stadium with Moses suspended and Braith Anasta unavailable with an ankle injury.

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News_Image_File: Mitchell Moses ahead of the Under-20s Origin game.

Moses, 19, is a brilliant young prospect and there is little doubt he and halfback Luke Brooks will be the Tigers’ halves combination for years to come.

Tigers players on Tuesday backed Moses — but made it clear gay slurs weren’t acceptable after the nephew of Balmain great Ben Elias was banned for breaking the NRL’s anti-vilification policy. He admitted calling an opposition player a “f ... ing gay c ...” during last weekend’s under 20s State of Origin match at Penrith.

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“Obviously there is no room in the game for that stuff,” forward Adam Blair said. “The NRL has made a massive stance on it. They have come out and given him two weeks.

“He will learn a big lesson and everyone else out there will learn (too). It was said in the heat-of-the-moment but there is no room for that.

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“A lot of things go on out on the field but with technology these days you can’t get away with anything.

”You don’t want to be throwing those words out (there) anyway. The NRL has made a massive stance.”

Austin said he had “no complaint” about Moses’ suspension.

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“I’d like to see it eradicated from the game. In this day and age, you just can’t be putting anyone down,” Austin said. “Obviously the NRL has taken a stance and I think it is where the game needs to go in the day and age we are in.

“I also think it is a great opportunity to educate our younger players, maybe rolling out programs at our rookie camps on what can and can’t be said.

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“I’ve got no complaint with the stance the NRL has taken. I think it was a throwaway line but this is a good chance to really move forward and grow as a game.

“By no means do I condone what Mitchell said. I am a firm believer that rugby league is for everyone and I’d like everyone who wants to enjoy rugby league, to enjoy it for what it is.”

Forward Marty Taupau and winger David Nofoaluma weren’t quite as vocal.

“The NRL has already sorted that out,” said Taupau.

Nofoaluma added: “He is great kid. I’ll leave that to Mitch, that is more his business.”

Elias was not commenting on Tuesday on Moses’ suspension.