Mitchell Moses’ injury-plagued season may not be over with Australia coach Mal Meninga reaching out to the Parramatta halfback over his availability for the Test series at the end of the season.
Moses ruptured his biceps while helping NSW clinch a memorable Origin series at Suncorp Stadium in July.
The injury ruled him out of the remainder of the Eels’ forgettable season, but Moses has continued training and will be fit when the Kangaroos play their first Test against Tonga in the middle of October.
The NRL will confirm their Pacific Championships schedule on Friday, with the Kangaroos to play against Tonga and New Zealand in Brisbane and Christchurch respectively, ahead of the final in early November at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.
With uncertainty surrounding Nathan Cleary, and whether he will require end-of-season shoulder surgery – and with Cameron Munster all but certain to undergo double hip surgery – Meninga has spoken with Moses.
Mitchell Moses may still play this year.Credit: Getty Images
At the very least, Moses will get the chance to press his green-and-gold claims in a Prime Minister’s XIII game against Papua New Guinea, which will be held after the NRL grand final.
The clash with the Kumuls will fall about three months after Moses’ injury. Brisbane skipper Adam Reynolds returned from the same injury in 11 weeks this year.
“Mitch will be back from injury before we play the internationals,” Meninga told this masthead.
“He deserves an opportunity if he’s available. I’ve had a good yarn to him, he’ll keep training, and he’s certainly keen to play.
“The PM’s will happen after the grand final, so we’ll probably need a camp with the guys who aren’t playing [finals football].
“He killed it in Origin, he was very influential. He’s no certainty to debut, but I like Mitch’s maturity, he has a great kicking game, and I just think he’s a smart player.”
Should Moses feature for Australia, it means incoming Eels coach Jason Ryles will have to wait until after Christmas to work with his most-important player.
Daly Cherry-Evans is now 35 and has been the Australian vice-captain in the past. He is leading a finals-bound Sea Eagles team with aplomb in 2024.
Meninga knows he will need to carry a backup playmaker in his 21-man squad. North Queensland’s Tom Dearden and St George Illawarra skipper Ben Hunt are halfback options, although Hunt is likely to feature regardless, provided he stays fit, because of his utility value.
“We got beaten 30-0 last year in the final against New Zealand, and that’s not going to happen again,” Meninga said.
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