Mitchell Moses has been ruled out of Game One of the State of Origin after a hamstring issue, forcing NSW to fast-track rookie Ethan Strange into the No.6 jersey alongside Nathan Cleary at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Gosford had already delivered the hope: Mitchell Moses trained with the NSW squad on Monday after complaining of tightness. then returned for scans when the hamstring issue didn’t settle. By Tuesday morning. the verdict landed with weight—Moses was ruled out of the State of Origin opener. a hammer blow for the Blues’ chances.
The 5/8’s absence immediately reshaped NSW’s preparation for Wednesday night’s match at Sydney’s Accor Stadium. With the injury not being described as a “major tear”, Blues staff still decided the risk was too high. NSW coach Laurie Daley said it was “just too risky” to play Moses. even after Moses had been expected to combine with Nathan Cleary in the halves.
That expectation now belongs to someone new. The Blues have rushed Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton into camp following the decision. but the bigger on-field change comes through Ethan Strange. Strange, initially named on the Blues interchange, will take the No.6 jersey for Game One alongside Cleary.
Strange. 21. will get his Origin baptism of fire against a Queensland side that has been reshaped at the top end as well. He has not yet played Origin, but he was part of the Kangaroos tour to England over the off-season. His name has carried momentum for months through club form in Canberra. where Phil Gould and Andrew Johns have praised his output over the past 18 months. including his key role in the Raiders’ run to last year’s minor premiership.
That confidence isn’t theoretical. 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 thrown his backing behind the rookie. “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.” He added: “Those types of players are really suited to Origin.”
The Blues know Strange’s first night in the spotlight will come against a Queensland playmaker they’re already watching closely. Canberra’s Strange will face another Origin rookie in Queensland’s Sam Walker. who NSW players have pinpointed as a key threat. Stephen Crichton. speaking in Gosford on Monday. said Walker’s attack has been sharp enough to make the entire matchup feel different. “I feel like the game now is suited for players like that and Walker’s attack has been really good for the Roosters. ” Crichton said. “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.”.
With Moses out. the Blues have moved fast from scans to squad changes. and now they’ll lean on a young halves pairing where Strange’s energy is expected to do some of the work usually carried by Mitchell Moses. Whether that gamble pays off is set to be tested when Origin kicks off at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
State of Origin Mitchell Moses NSW Blues Nathan Cleary Ethan Strange Sam Walker Sydney Accor Stadium Laurie Daley hamstring injury Matt Burton Stephen Crichton
Hamstring stuff always sucks. Hopefully Strange doesn’t get eaten alive at No.6.
Wait so they’re saying Moses was “too risky” but not a major tear? That sounds like they just didn’t want to risk it for a rookie anyway.
Ethan Strange coming in like that feels wild. I swear half the time coaches say “fast-track” and then the kid looks lost for a whole half. Also Accor Stadium… is that where they always play? why would they change positions right before.
This is basically the Blues throwing darts at the lineup. Burton in camp?? I don’t even know who that is compared to Moses. And isn’t Phil Gould the one always hyping Raiders players so of course Strange is the next one. I just don’t see how they win now.