Westpac NSW Blues halves Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses, who both played in the 2023 State of Origin series, have suffered injury blows early in the season.
Moses is the more serious of the two players after fracturing his left foot while spearheading the Parramatta Eels 28-24 come-from-behind win over Manly Warringah last Sunday.
A statement from parraeels.com.au said the 29-year-old halfback would need surgery and would be out of action for up to eight weeks.
Moses has played three matches for the NSW Blues, making his debut in Game Three 2021.
Cleary, the two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner, injured his right hamstring in the 71st minute of the 34-12 win last week over the Brisbane Broncos.
He has played 14 Origin games, but Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said yesterday he was expected back in Round Seven. Cleary would only then miss two games as the Panthers have a bye in Round Six.
“It’s an opportunity for others,” Cleary said.
“It’s not too bad, so that’s the pleasing thing. He felt the same thing last year before he actually did it properly.
“The fact that he had that experience means we cut this one off a bit sooner. Hopefully, it’ll only be a couple of weeks.”
The Westpac NSW Blues team for Game One at Accor Stadium on Wednesday 5 June won’t be named until after the completion of Round 12 in the NRL.
Off-season recruit and former Canberra Raiders No.7 Brad Schneider will make his club debut for the Panthers tomorrow night (Thursday 28 March) against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Cleary is not the only personnel change for the Panthers due to injury.
Mavrik Geyer will make his NRL debut after being named on the interchange bench yesterday to replace Scott Sorensen (knee).
Geyer is the son of Penrith legend and 1991 premiership-winner Mark Geyer and was a member of Penrith’s triumphant Jersey Flegg Cup side in 2022 scoring a try in the 19-18 Grand Final against Newcastle.
The 23-year-old back rower has made 37 appearances in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, including all three games this season also scoring a try.
