Weekend Read: The Eels have bigger priorities than the signing of Zac Lomax

Parramatta’s pursuit of Zac Lomax has become the talk of the town, but they have a much bigger problem in front of them. Plus why the clock is ticking for golfer Cameron Smith. WEEKEND READ

Can we talk about Parramatta for a second? No, not their pursuit of Zac Lomax, although that has quickly become one of the stories of the NRL season.

Let’s discuss Eels star half Mitchell Moses and whether he is the toughest hombre in rugby league. Yes, Mitchell Moses, the Eels’ talismanic No.7 who is currently sidelined with a foot injury that he carried through the final minutes of their win over Manly a week ago.

Moses already had a groin problem which had limited him through the opening month of the season. The foot injury tipped him over the edge, although he remarkably managed to hobble through the dying embers of the Sea Eagles win before being sent off for surgery.

Moses doesn’t get the plaudits he probably should for his toughness. He’s not the biggest or strongest bloke at his respective club. He doesn’t get around with a scowl on his face, although he isn’t averse to chirping at referees or opponents.

The Eels will desperately miss Mitch Moses. Picture: NRL Photos

He tends to hang out on the edge of the field rather than in the middle – where the big boys like to roam – but he is battle-hardened nonetheless.

If he is not the toughest bloke in rugby league, he may be the bravest. He should certainly be on the podium given the latest heroics are not the first involving the 29-year-old.

Let’s not forget that three years ago, Moses played 70 minutes of his State of Origin debut with fractured bones in his back.

Didn’t shirk his work. Didn’t let anyone know. The news only leaked out when he was ruled out for a couple of months. Moses’ pain threshold is clearly off the charts.

“The back fracture he suffered wasn’t endangering his spinal cord, but pain wise it would’ve been right up there,” said NRL physio Brien Seeney.

“Along with a rib fracture it’s considered one of the more painful injuries a footy player can suffer. For him to play through most of an Origin game with that pain, it might not get the fanfare of more obvious graphic physical injuries, but it’s one of the toughest efforts in the Origin arena.

“The foot fracture wouldn’t have been as high on the pain scale, but functionally it would’ve really limited him.

“Every time he went to push off or turn on that foot it would’ve been putting more pressure on that fractured bone – we haven’t seen an NRL player finish a game with a 5th metatarsal fracture for as long as I can remember.”

Moses didn’t just finish the game, he helped the Eels come from behind to trump Manly, but things are clearly going to get more difficult in his absence.

Moses stayed on the field despite his pain in Parramatta's win over Manly. Picture: NRL Photos

Parramatta must now find a way to negotiate the next two months without their halfback, the enormity of the task highlighted in their loss to the Wests Tigers last weekend.

The draw has been kind. Over the next three weeks, they travel to Canberra, and then host North Queensland and the Dolphins.

It’s not the hardest draw but it won’t be easy given the absence of Moses – and it could be season defining.

If the Eels drop those three games, they will have a mountain to climb to play finals football this year. That will heap pressure on the club and coach Brad Arthur.

Moses, meanwhile, will be watching closely. He desperately craves a premiership but even the toughest bloke in rugby league may not be able to save them if they can’t steady the ship in his absence.

*****

The clock is ticking for Cameron Smith. If he wants to play the Paris Olympics, he needs to make his move at Augusta National over the next week or so.

Smith’s drop in the world rankings has been so dramatic, he is now fifth in line for Paris. It is a travesty. A rank injustice.

Jason Day is our top ranked player as it stands and Min Woo Lee currently demands the other spot on the Australian team.

Adam Scott and Cameron Davis are ranked above Smith as well, leaving the likeable Queenslander with a mountain to climb as he prepares to launch an assault on the Masters.

Smith started the year at 28 in the world and has been on a slide ever since. The decision to switch camps and link with LIV has lined his pockets but it may yet cost him something even more valuable – the chance to represent his country at the Olympic Games.

Make no mistake, it means more to Smith than most. He made no secret of that when he spoke about the Paris Olympics with his masthead last year.

He would love nothing more than to be there. That’s why the next week is so important for Smith and Australia’s chance of winning a medal in Paris.

The clock is ticking for Cameron Smith. Picture: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Smith is our best hope. He is our best player. He just needs to show it at Augusta National on a course that he loves.

Smith has played well at the Masters. He has three finishes in the top five including a share of second a few years back behind fellow LIV defector Dustin Johnson.

He arrives in decent touch but with pressure mounting as the Olympic cut-off date in June closes fast.

Day has been reluctant to return home in recent years but the hot tip is that he will make himself available to play in Paris.

Lee would love to pull on the coat of arms and play alongside his sister Minjee Lee. Scott has never been a fan of golf at the Olympics so don’t expect him to make himself available if he happens to make a late charge at a green and gold polo.

Davis would no doubt love to be there. Smith may want it more than any of them. He certainly deserves it and he gives us our best chance of a gold medal.

The Masters is his big chance. He will play the PGA Championships in May and the US Open but Augusta National is where he has acquitted himself best.

His best hope of wearing the green and gold may be if he slips on a green jacket.