‘Scapegoat’: New NSW Blues halfback Mitchell Moses ‘feels sorry’ for axed playmaker Nicho Hynes

Speaking for the first time since being re-called to the NSW team, Mitchell Moses believes the man he is replacing, Nicho Hynes, was made the “scapegoat” for the Blues’ disappointing Game 1 loss.

Mitchell Moses, the halfback anointed to help NSW save the Origin series, says axed Blues playmaker Nicho Hynes has been made a unlucky ‘scapegoat’ for the Blues’ loss in Origin I.

Speaking for the first time since being handed the No.7 jumper by Blues coach Michael Maguire, Moses said he feels sorry for Hynes who was dumped for game two at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 26.

“I haven’t heard from him and I haven’t reached out to him either. I’ll be sure to reach out to him after this,” Moses said.

“It’s unlucky, they only had 12 men pretty much the whole game.

“He’s pretty much been made the scapegoat. I feel sorry for him. I get my chance, and I just have to grab it with both hands.”

The Blues went down 38-10 at the hands of Queensland in front of a home crowd at Accor Stadium, playing 73 minutes with just 12 men after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off for an ugly high shot on Reece Walsh.

The biggest slight on Hynes during game one was the Cronulla halfback’s inability to take control of the game through his kicking.

* Statistics courtesy of Fox Sports Lab

Maguire responded in kind by parachuting Moses, who has one the best kicking games in the NRL, into the side for game two.

The Parramatta halfback will form a new halves combination with three-time premiership winner and Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai.

NSW have used seven different halves combinations since 2020, and 12 different combinations since 2015.

The pressure is on Moses to deliver in Melbourne or he too could become a victim of NSW’s willingness to chop and change halves pairing after winning only three series since 2015.

First choice halfback Nathan Cleary has been sidelined since round 10 but is nearing his return from a hamstring injury, which would also put him in the frame for selection in game three.

Re-called NSW Blues player Mitchell Moses. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

A win in Melbourne, with Moses leading the charge, will help cement his place in the team.

“It’s not really (about) taking on the pressure. It’s about soaking up the moment. It’s going to take a team performance, not just myself to get us the win,” Moses said.

“I feel really confident. In the games we (Parramatta) have played, we have been in plenty of the games with a chance to win.

“The spirits are still high at Parramatta. So I come in here full of confidence and ready to go.

“I’m just grateful Madge (Maguire) has shown trust in me and thrown me in the No.7 jersey.”

While Latrell Mitchell has been dubbed as the Blues’ saviour, the inclusion of Moses will be just as pivotal for the Blues.

Nicho Hynes was dumped from the Blues squad. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The side’s two most influential players will spend the week working on their right side combination ahead of the decisive clash at the MCG.

“Just get him the ball. It’s as simple as that,” Moses said.

“I think it’s our job as halves to distribute the ball and get the ball to him, and get him the ball in spots where he loves it.

“I don’t think there is a pressure on him. It’s up to me and Romy to work up some stuff to try and get him the ball in good positions.

“He’s a quality player and he’s picked for a reason. He has such a big influence on a team. He’s got that aura about him, we just have to try and get him the ball.”

NEW-LOOK BLUES ASSEMBLE

Latrell Mitchell, the man dubbed as NSW’s “saviour”, was all smiles as the South Sydney superstar arrived at the Blues team hotel on Monday afternoon.

Mitchell’s availability, and desire to play for NSW, had dominated headlines ahead of Michael Maguire’s team announcement on Sunday evening.

He was one of the last players to arrive but was welcomed with a hero’s reception by young school kids waiting outside the team hotel.

A buoyant Mitchell waved at his adoring fans as he was escorted by hotel staff into the building.

There was an air of seriousness as players arrived with most blowing past the waiting media pack, who had been told not to talk to players as they made their way into the team hotel.

Hotel staff erected a barrier between the road and hotel entry ahead of the players’ arrival in a bid to keep the media pack at bay.

A number of players, including Mitchell Moses, Dylan Edwards, who was recalled at fullback ahead of James Tedesco after missing game one with a quad injury, and Isaah Yeo also arrived with their golf clubs in toe.

The first official media opportunity, where Mitchell and halfback Mitchell Moses are scheduled to speak will be held later on Monday afternoon.

The Blues held a team meeting at the hotel before heading to a coaching clinic for up to 200 junior rugby league players at the NSW Centre of excellence.

The Blues will relocate to the Blue Mountains on Tuesday after a training session at Homebush.

NSW must win Origin II at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 26 to keep the series alive after going down to Queensland 38-10 in Game 1 at Accor Stadium.