NSW have been dealt a massive blow ahead of the State of Origin series opener, with Mitchell Moses ruled out with injury.
The five-eighth pulled up with hamstring tightness after doing extras following training on Monday.
On Tuesday Laurie Daley confirmed he will miss Game 1 with a minor hamstring strain, with Raiders star Ethan Strange to take his place alongside Nathan Cleary in the halves.
“He’s strained a hammy. Nothing major. He had a tweak and won’t miss a lot of football,” Daley said.
“Ethan Strange will start and Matt Burton will come onto the bench.”
Daley said the injury was minor and stated he could potentially even play for the Eels this weekend.
“Training had finished, he was doing extras and Isaah alerted me that something had happened with Mitch.
“All the good players put in extra reps after training and that’s when it occurred.
“He might even be a chance to play for Parra this weekend. It’s a minor tear but it’s too risky 48 hours out from kick off,
Bulldogs flyer Matt Burton has been parachuted into Blues camp on the Central Coast to cover for Moses. He will be on the Blues’ extended bench on Wednesday.
Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa was understood to be the first man in line for the call-up.
However, he is currently in concussion protocols, making him unavailable for selection.
It’s a huge blow for the Blues and for Moses, who suffered a calf injury ahead of Game 2 last year, with the Maroons coming back from 1-0 down to win the series with him out of the side.
Moses has played six Origins for the Blues since making his debut in Game 3 of the 2021 series.
More to come.
