Phil Gould detail emerges around Mitch Moses Origin selection for NSW
The Blues coach admits his long-time confidant played a part in the Eels star's Origin recall.
NSW coach Brad Fittler has revealed former Blues coach Phil Gould had a role to play in Mitchell Moses' stunning State of Origin recall for Game II at Suncorp Stadium. Much of the talk before the Blues' bombshell team announcement on Tuesday was around reigning Dally M Medal winner Nicho Hynes and Broncos veteran Adam Reynolds being the most likely of the No.7s to replace the injured Nathan Cleary in the NSW side.
Moses started coming into more conversations after being touted by Gould and after his masterclass against Canterbury on Monday, the Parramatta half had rocketed into favouritism. Fittler admitted that he spoke with his long-time confidant Gould and agreed that Moses was a man that could do a job for the Blues in the absence of Cleary.
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“I always talk to Gus - he’s good conversation - and I think we both see the same thing (in Moses),” Fittler said at Blues camp. “He’s a much more controlled player than he was five years ago and the kicking side of it is so important. He walks towards a challenge and that’s important.
“The last time Nathan went down, Mitchell played and he did a great job, set up a couple of tries and he did it with a broken back so I don’t think his toughness can be questioned. “I’ve always been a fan of Mitchell. Watching him play yesterday gave me a lot more confidence.
“He was tough, they were chasing him, they were after him and he found a way to get away, whether it was with some smart kicking or passing or running, he just came up with the answers. It won’t be too much different next Wednesday.”
Moses' second Origin appearance comes after he was also selected as Cleary's injury replacement in the third game of the 2021 series. But a fractured back suffered in the opening 10 minutes stymied Moses and the Blues went on to lose to their rivals, having comprehensively beaten them in the first two games.
Mitchell Moses relishing Origin recall for NSW
"Last time I played it was pretty much bite down on the mouthguard for 70 minutes and do my best. I didn't want to let anyone down," Moses said. Though the game two decider has higher stakes than Moses' Origin debut, the halfback is excited to give it another shot.
"To come out here 1-0 down in the series at Suncorp, it's pretty exciting and it's a big test." Moses said he was flattered to be considered second in line behind dual-premiership halfback Cleary and called him "one of the best players in the last four years".
"He's copped a fair bit of criticism after game one. As a rugby league player and as an athlete you want to prove the critics wrong. And he doesn't get to do that. It's pretty sad to see."
As far as tests in rugby league go, they don't come much bigger than the one facing the classy No.7, with Moses having to contend with the intimidating cauldron that is Suncorp Stadium, in front of a packed house of rabid Maroons fans in a do-or-die clash for his state.
History is firmly against Moses and his side, with the Blues having never won a game in Queensland to save a series in Origin history. The recalled half insists he's up for the challenge though, and says he'll stick to the game plan that has been serving him so well. "It's not an ego boost. I've just got to go out there and do my job," he added.
with AAP
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