Westpac NSW Blues halfback Mitch Moses wants to repay the trust shown by coach Michael Maguire in throwing him the No.7 jersey for Game Two of the Ampol State of Origin series at the MCG next week (Wednesday 26 June).
Moses, a former Dally M Halfback of the Year, has played three Origins (2021, 2023) but missed nine rounds for Paramatta Eels in the NRL this year after fracturing his foot.
He is only three games back from his recovery but jumped at the opportunity to return to the Blues when Maguire contacted him on Sunday afternoon.
“I’m just thankful he gave me the call and had trust in me to put the No.7 jersey on and try to get the win,” Moses said on Monday, before joining more than 200 junior players at a NSWRL-NRL community clinic at the NSWRL’s Centre of Excellence.
“It means a lot. I obviously had that injury at the start of the year, and it’s also been a bit upsetting with everything that’s happened at Parra,” he said, referring to the departure of Eels coach Brad Arthur.
“For ‘Madge’ to show some faith and trust in me to be able to throw me the jersey, I’m very thankful.
“It means nothing if we don’t get the job done.”
Moses was part of the 24-10 Game Three win over the Maroons last July, where he launched 14 kicks for 397 metres to keep Queensland on their toes.
“I feel like I’m at a good point in my career. I’m excited to get this chance again,” Moses said.
“Obviously being 1-0 down at the moment, and to go to Melbourne to try to turn the series around and take it to a third game, it’s an exciting opportunity for myself and the boys as well.
“It’s all the moments you dream of as a kid. As a halfback you want to be in those situations.”
He said he planned to watch Game One again to see how the Blues players dug deep, when reduced to 12 men in the seventh minute after centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off.
“There were chances there it might have been a different game if we’d scored one try (second half) … but the effort the boys showed the whole game, we’ll take that into Game Two,” he said.
“My job here is to get the job done. That’s why I’m here, that’s why Madge has picked me.
“But it won’t take just one player. It takes the whole team.”
As for being mobbed by the junior Rugby League players today?
“I remember being one of these kids growing up wanting to be like one of the Origin players – I’m thankful to be able to stand here and put the jersey on because I was in their position not that long ago.”
