New South Wales playmaker Mitchell Moses was key in his state’s Game III win over Queensland, and one ex-Blues star believes the 27-year-old is “breathing down the neck” of Nathan Cleary for the halfback job subsequent 12 months.
Moses steered the Blues round within the quantity seven jersey for Games II and III after Cleary injured his hamstring early final month taking part in for Penrith.
Cleary is considered because the long-term reply at halfback for the Blues, however Michael Ennis says that the play of Moses in a New South Wales jersey this 12 months ought to warrant him loads of respect.
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“I couldn’t be prouder of Mitch Moses,” Ennis mentioned on Fox League put up the Blues 24-10 win over Queensland.
“You go back a couple of years ago (2018) and you think of that moment where Parramatta is at a crosswords thinking do we get rid of Moses or get rid of (Corey) Norman and they had some tough conversations.”
Moses stayed on the Eels with Norman leaving to go to the Dragons, nonetheless the then 24-year-old admitted he was upset at Parramatta giving him permission to go away the membership.
Fast-forward 5 years and Moses has represented his state on three events and led his membership aspect to a Grand Final.
“Mitch has matured, not only as a player but as a person and he’s a father,” Ennis mentioned.
“He’s 27. He’s in the sweet spot of his career, he’s taken the Eels to a Grand Final and still forever in a day there are so many question marks about could he get it done on the big stage.
“I know we were beaten in Game II but I thought about one of our best. I really did.
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“Tonight I felt like the attacking style suited him a lot better. He went physically after the game.
“I thought he showed tonight that he is a State of Origin player. I thought he was great. And that’s not just with the ball in hand, defensively out on that right edge I thought he was great.”
Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson mentioned that Cleary “will probably step back in and be the halfback” going ahead, however Ennis thinks there’s a place for Moses.
“That’s great but we have Ben Hunt and Daly Cherry-Evans doing the same thing for Queensland where they both star as halfbacks on the weekend. And how important is it to have quality depth like that,” he mentioned.
“Queensland have spoken about it before, New South Wales speak about it as well that you don’t have a mortgage on your jersey, you have to earn it. It’s a representative jersey and Mitch has shown he is in for the fight.
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“Nathan is world class, he’s one of the best halfbacks I’ve seen play but he’s got someone breathing down his neck now. He’s got competition.
Corey Parker also praised Moses’ Origin performances this season, but believed he hit a new peak in Game III.
“To come into Game III and have the presence that he had tonight. His kicking game was outstanding, he only had one kick that was not where he wanted it to go.
“His running game, he was causing havoc with his running game. He looked in total control of where he was, he didn’t look overawed at all and he’s done everything he can.”
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