Mitchell Moses' stark reality check from Maroons over Origin 'step up'

New Blues halfback Mitchell Moses has been given a stern warning about what to expect in State of Origin Game II from Maroons opposite Daly Cherry-Evans. Moses has been handed one of the most daunting tasks in rugby league after being entrusted with the No.7 role for NSW in a must-win showdown at Queensland's Suncorp Stadium, in front of what will be a packed house baying for the Blues' blood next Wednesday night.

If that's not a monumental enough task for Moses and the Blues, throw in the fact that no NSW side in Origin history has ever won a game in Queensland to save a series. The classy halfback goes into Game II as one of the best No.7s in the game and fully deserves his call-up after the hamstring injury that ruled Nathan Cleary out of the Blues' side.

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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.

In the lengthy time between drinks for the 28-year-old, Moses guided his side to last year's grand final, where the Eels finished runner-up to Cleary's two-time premiers, Penrith. The Eels half has demonstrated that he has the game management skills, speed, kicking game and defensive nous to indicate he's ready for another crack in the Origin arena.

QLD captain's warning for Mitchell Moses

However, Maroons captain Cherry-Evans warned his opposite No.7 that dominating games in the NRL is one thing, but you "need to go to a new level" in the Origin arena. “It’s a huge step up for him - it’s not the same,” Cherry-Evans said. “We all know it (NRL form) is not the same and that’s what makes Origin so good.

“I know for me, how I play at club level doesn’t cut it at Origin level. You need to go to a new level, so you have to be ready for that.”

The kicking game of Moses - both at goal and in general play - looms as key to the Blues' hopes of salvaging the series at Suncorp in the absence of Cleary. While that is undoubtedly a strength of Moses' game, Cherry-Evans was quick to remind the NSW half that his time and space will be limited in the Origin furnace.

“Kick pressure is a big part of Origin and that’s one thing that is going to go up a level for sure,” Cherry-Evans added. “He (Moses) gets another chance to come back into the Origin arena.

“Parramatta has had a difficult start to the year, but Mitch has been playing some good footy. I’m sure he will be confident in the job he can do for his state and we will do whatever he can to minimise his involvement. He has a really strong kicking game and he brings some off-the-cuff footy.

“He is a danger when he runs, so we will have to make sure we are on high alert when he has the ball. We hope Queenslanders give the Blues players a really big welcome like they always do.

"It’s really important for us as a side not to rely on the crowd. They are going to be a part of the atmosphere and they will ride us at times, but these next nine days are so important for us to make sure our game plan is where we need it to be and our mindset is right come game day."

Gorden Tallis said the performance from Moses against Canterbury on Sunday made it hard to leave him out of the Blues side. The Maroons great conceded Moses had all the tools to succeed at Origin level, but challenged the Blues half to prove he can deliver on the most hostile stage of all.

“It was a real measured performance," Tallis said about the Bulldogs game. "You want a great kicking game, especially at Suncorp and he has got that great running game. I think he has got everything to succeed at Origin level, but it is whether he can.”

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