Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Olympics
Motorsport
Netball
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule'It's sweet': Moses says he's in no doubt for Origin II
Jasper Bruce, AAP •  June 9th, 2026 2:00 pm
Mitchell Moses is fired up to be back in the NSW Origin team and says he's fit and ready to go | Photo: Darren England/AAP
NSW five-eighth Mitch Moses insists he is a certainty to play the second State of Origin match despite being named to start under an injury cloud.
Moses was feeling "very good" on return to Blues camp on Tuesday, having been ruled out of the game-one win with a hamstring injury suffered two days before kick-off.
The Parramatta captain has not played since, but was put through a variety of fitness tests with the Eels leading up to Tuesday morning's team announcement.
Blues coach Laurie Daley has called Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa into camp as injury cover, and has Moses' electric game-one replacement Ethan Strange on his bench.
But Moses says he's feeling "sweet" ahead of Origin II on June 17, when the Blues can secure the series win at the MCG.
"There's no dramas," Moses said of his injury.
"I'm pretty confident in myself that I'll be able to be good and ready to go out there and do a job.
"I'll do everything right this week, get ready and prep and hopefully do a job for the state."
Mitchell Moses has been limited at Origin level because of injury, but rises to the stage when fit | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Moses admitted it was difficult to have been ruled out of game one with a mid-camp injury after suffering the same fate ahead of Origin II last year.
Injuries have restricted Moses to only 32 NRL games across the past three seasons, but the 31-year-old was always confident of a fast recovery this time around.
"It was just enough to rule you out. It was upsetting but it was just a little shit one," he said of his injury.
"That's happened, that's all done. We're here now and we're focused on game two.
"I've learned to deal with injuries a bit better, I've had a fair few lately."
Mitchell Moses was ruled out in the days leading up to this year's State of Origin opener | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Following two false starts, Moses is now set for a second Origin berth starting next to Blues halfback and the NRL's form playmaker Nathan Cleary.
"I feel like when I come into these things and we do media, I'm pretty much saying the same stuff, then it doesn't happen, so I'm not going to say too much," he said.
"(But) I'm excited, I get another chance here so I'm pumped."
Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses haven't played much together but their bond seems strong | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Cleary and Moses have 24 Origin caps between them but last year's game-one win marks their only game together.
Moses is confident of instant chemistry.
"I watch Nath very closely. It's very easy for us to connect off the field and on the field as well. We both love our footy," he said.
"When you come into these teams, you've got all the best players in their respective teams. It's about putting your ego to the side and doing what's best for what the team needs."
