Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of the State of Origin opener with the NSW playmaker succumbing to a hamstring issue in a huge blow for the Blues’ chances.
Five-eighth Moses trained with the team in Gosford on Monday but was sent for scans by NSW staff after complaining of tightness.
The bad news was announced on Tuesday morning.
Moses’ absence has led to NSW rushing Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton into camp ahead of Wednesday night’s game at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
On Tuesday, Blues coach Daley said ‘it’s just too risky’ to play Moses, despite the injury not being a ‘major tear’.
Canberra youngster Strange, who was initially named on the Blues interchange, will now take the No.6 jersey alongside halfback Nathan Cleary.
Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of Origin game one due to a hamstring injury
The announcement is a huge blow for Blues coach Laurie Daley (pictured) as Moses was expected to form a deadly halves combination with Nathan Cleary
The loss of Moses means Origin rookie Ethan Strange (pictured) will be given a baptism of fire against a new-look Maroons halves combination on Wednesday night
Strange, 21, has yet to play Origin but was part of the Kangaroos tour to England over the off-season.
Legendary former Blues coach Phil Gould and NSW great Andrew Johns have praised Strange’s form over the last 18 months, including his key role in Canberra’s run to last year’s minor premiership.
Strange has 19 tries in 55 NRL games and played for NSW in the 2023 U19s State of Origin game, where he scored a hat-trick.
Daley has backed Strange to the hilt.
‘All I see is a kid that loves his footy,’ Daley said.
‘You’ve just got to compete and that’s what he does well.
‘Those types of players are really suited to Origin.’
Canberra five-eighth Strange will come face to face with another Origin rookie in Queensland’s Sam Walker, who has been pinpointed as a key threat by NSW players.
‘I feel like the game now is suited for players like that and Walker’s attack has been really good for the Roosters,’ Blues centre Stephen Crichton said in Gosford on Monday.
‘I’m sure that he’s going to be attacking the game on Wednesday night as well and we have to be on our best to kill that.’
