‘Pretty bizarre’: Why Ethan Strange has to be Mitch Moses’ Origin replacement for Game I

NSW five‑eighth Mitchell Moses is out and Matt Burton is in.

But according to former Canberra playmaker Blake Austin, Laurie Daley has absolutely pulled the right rein by confirming Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange will make his Origin debut alongside Nathan Clearly, with Burton to come off the Blues bench in the 2026 series opener.

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“Poor Parramatta, poor Mitch Moses, poor New South Wales,” Austin said in the latest Footy IQ podcast.

“This was the series that (Moses) hoped to get three games in and really stamp his name in the Origin books, but Matt Burton’s into the team now.”

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‘He could be awesome on a wet night’

While he’s a big fan of Burton, Austin has no doubt Ethan Strange can be a difference maker as a starter on Wednesday night at Accor Stadium as NSW seeks to go 1-0 up against the Maroons.

“Ethan Strange (is a player) I am so passionate about,” he declared.

“I love the way he plays his footy, he could be awesome on a wet night, his defensive technique could be brilliant, he bends his back and drives through people—in the Origin arena, high fatigue, slippery conditions.”

Asked if Laurie Daley may have been tempted to have Burton come straight into the starting side alongside Nathan Cleary, Austin said that would have been ‘pretty bizarre’.

“Clearly Ethan Strange was on the six-man bench as halves cover, because you’ve got Casey McLean for centre and wing, you’ve got a hooker (Blayke Brailey) already on the bench… and we’ve (NSW) got about a thousand locks on the bench,” he said.

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“With what we’re learning now about the weather and the conditions, I think Ethan Strange and Matt Burton could be huge for the Blues, I’d love to see Nathan Cleary with the big burly running six next to him that’s getting off his line ripping and tearing in defence and then just running the footy.”

With Strange coming in for Moses, one area Austin says the Maroons could have a distinct advantage on an expected wet track on Wednesday night is kicking. 

“Look, Ethan’s improved his kicking,” Austin said.

“But I do think one of the advantages Queensland are going to have, and the conditions are going to really suit this, is they’ve got a lot more (kicking) options. 

“They’ve got Sam Walker right foot, they’ve got Harry Grant right foot, they’ve got Cam Monster left foot, and they’ve got Kalyn Ponga left foot—so they’re well and truly spoiled for choice on both sides of the field.” 

NSW hosts Queensland in State of Origin Game I at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night. Kick-off at 8:05pm.

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