Mitchell Moses in awful injury development as NSW star betters Nathan Cleary for Origin history

Blues fans have quickly questioned whether Nathan Cleary will usurp Mitchell Moses next year as the NSW halfback after the Eels star was instrumental in his team's 14-4 win at Suncorp. Moses executed the Blues' game plan to aplomb on Wednesday night with his kicking game pinning the Maroons in their own half.

He then finished the game with a brilliant solo try in the 68th minute as he stepped past two Maroons defenders and left Reece Walsh on the floor. The Blues secured the first win for NSW in a Game 3 decider at Suncorp in 19 years. Moses was player-of-the-match in Origin Game 2 and once again showed he is built for the arena in the famous No.7 jersey.

However, this raises the question to where Cleary comes back into the team - if at all - when the Blues look to go back-to-back in 2025. Cleary missed the 2024 series with a hamstring injury and is only expected to return this weekend for the Panthers.

Cleary is arguably the best halfback in the league and has led Penrith to three-straight premierships. His performance in the 2023 grand final was one of the great individual displays in NRL history.

Although the Panthers No.7 has often failed to outshine Maroons halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster in the Origin arena. Cleary has often come under extra pressure to perform for the Blues with NSW losing on a number of occasions when they have been expected to win.

Cleary has played in 14 Origin games having won seven and lost seven. Moses has been behind Cleary for some time, but he has now won his last three Origin games as the No.7. He also became just the third NSW halfback to win a decider in Queensland, showcasing his mettle in the Suncorp cauldron.

Jarome Luai's position in the team was also under scrutiny before the series, but he was outstanding in Game 2 and 3. Next year, Michael Maguire might look to play both Cleary and Moses together. While both are brilliant halfbacks, neither prefer the No.6 jersey and it would break up the partnership formed by Luai and Moses. And many fans have called for coach Michael Maguire to not change the winning formula if Moses and Luai are both fit next year. Others feels Cleary has to find his way back into the team as the game's premier halfback.

Mitchell Moses injures bicep during Blues win

While Moses was rejoicing with his teammates after a historic victory, the halfback also admitted he may have torn his bicep having trudged off the field in pain. Moses was thrilled to have led the Blues to victory, but admitted his bicep was 'gone'. This could see the halfback miss the remainder of the season with the Parramatta Eels languishing in 16th place and out of NRL finals contention.

NSW break State of Origin drought

NSW broke an extraordinary 19-year drought, winning Game 3 by a score of 14-4 to mark the first decider the Blues have won at Suncorp since 2005.

It was just the third time a NSW side has won a deciding Game 3 in Brisbane in Origin history, after the 1994 and 2005 teams. Suncorp was packed with screaming Maroons fans during the game, but they were nowhere to be seen during the post-match presentation.

Speaking after the game, Cherry-Evans and Maroons coach Billy Slater both bemoaned the fact Queensland didn't get much love from referee Ashley Klein. Plenty had been written and said about the fact Queensland always win the penalty count at Suncorp Stadium, but NSW got more calls from Klein on Wednesday night.

"They will review their own game. I am sure they will look at that," Slater said of the match officials. "As I said, I think he was hit a little bit off the footy. It is State of Origin. I know what it is like and I understand what he is going through. It is just the way it is."