Brett Kimmorley makes massive call amid Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses debate for Origin
Calls have grown louder for Moses to be the long-term No.7 for NSW after his Origin series heroics.
Former NSW halfback Brett Kimmorley has weighed into the State of Origin debate around Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary after declaring the Parramatta star deserves to wear the No.7 jersey long-term. Moses was man of the match in Game 2 and scored the game-sealing try in the Suncorp Stadium decider on Wednesday night to help his side become just the third Blues team in history to win a deciding Game 3 in Queensland.
Moses struck up a beautiful combination with Cleary's regular Penrith halves partner Luai, with the Eels halfback's long kicking game, organisation and attacking flair perfectly complimenting Luai's more adlib style of footy. In contrast, Cleary and Luai have often failed to get the Blues attack clicking while playing together for their state, despite winning three premierships together at the Panthers.
Following the Blues' series win, calls have grown deafening for Moses to be NSW coach Michael Maguire's long-term halfback going forward. Fans insist the Eels No.7 - who suffered a season-ending ruptured bicep in Game 3 - should be one of the first names on Maguire's team sheet if he's fit and firing next year and Kimmorley agrees that Moses has made the Blues No.7 jersey his own after an incredible series.
“Mitchell Moses stood up (in Game 3)... that’s his fifth Origin match and he shows he’s entitled to be in the Origin arena,” Kimmorley said on SEN 1170 Mornings. “Not many players go to Suncorp and star and win up there, he’s earned that legacy now that he’s one of the players in NSW history that will be remembered for that.
“I thought it was a coming of age for Mitchell Moses... on the back of front foot attack. When he scored that try and came up with the big moments, it was outstanding.” Cleary was ruled out of the entire Origin series with a hamstring injury and is only set to return for the Panthers against the Dolphins this Sunday - in what will be his first game since aggravating his hamstring in round 10.
Blues facing Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary dilemma
The Penrith superstar is considered by many to be the best player in the game and assuming he's fit for next year's Origin series, it throws up a massive dilemma for Blues coach Maguire. However, Kimmorley believes both Cleary and Moses are good enough to play No.6 or No.7 and suggested they could both play together in the halves for the Blues in 2025.
“Obviously I think there’s a position you could play Cleary and Moses, it just depends how they play combination-wise,” Kimmorley added. “Nathan Cleary is the best halfback in the competition and has won three grand finals. That’s what Madge Maguire gets paid to do. Do we forget that he dropped the captain of our state in James Tedesco for Dylan Edwards in this series as well?”
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While playing Moses and Cleary together in the halves could be one option for the Blues in 2025, that would seem particularly unfair on Luai, who was one of the standouts for NSW throughout the series. The Penrith No.6 stood up as one of the best for his side when the Blues went a man down in Game 1 and he was instrumental in the record-breaking mauling of the Maroons in Game 2. Luai was again solid in a bruising Game 3 that was largely dominated by the forwards and Maguire will have a massive selection call to make around his halves next year when the Blues aim to defend their Origin shield.
