Daley appears to have made early call on Blues’ No.6 jersey

New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has all but confirmed Mitchell Moses will reclaim the Blues’ five-eighth role for State of Origin II, with the Parramatta playmaker set to return alongside Nathan Cleary if he proves his fitness over the coming weeks.

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Moses was originally selected to partner Cleary in the halves for Origin I before a hamstring injury forced him out of the series opener, paving the way for young gun Ethan Strange to debut in the No.6 jersey.

Despite Strange performing strongly in difficult circumstances, Daley has made it clear Moses remains a crucial part of the Blues setup and is expected to come straight back into the side once available.

“I think Mitch, he is a big part of our team,” Daley said.

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“It’s not a bad hammy either, so we expect him to play [in Game 2], and if he plays, he will be part of the squad for sure.” Daley continued.

The comments strongly indicate Moses will slot directly back into the starting side for the must-win clash, restoring the combination NSW had initially planned for the opening game of the series at the expense of the Raiders emerging superstar Ethan Strange.

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Moses has become one of the game’s premier organising halves over recent seasons, with his kicking game and composure viewed as vital additions to the Blues’ attack and game management but Strange had an amazing Origin debut whilst then starring on the weekend for his club.

To drop Strange would be a hugely difficult decision for Daley, who handled the pressure of an Origin debut impressively and showed glimpses of why he is regarded as one of the brightest young playmakers in the NRL.

However, with the series now on the line, the Blues appear set to lean back towards the experience and control Moses brings to the side.

The Parramatta star is expected to be monitored closely over the coming fortnight, but barring any setbacks, all signs point towards Moses wearing the No.6 jersey for State of Origin II.

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