The first State of Origin game for 2026 might be six months away, but Nathan Cleary‘s sub-par performance in the Ashes series has reignited debate over whether Mitchell Moses should be the first-choice halfback in representative football next year. Australia got the job done in Leeds on Sunday morning (AEDT), securing a series whitewash with a resounding 30-8 win in over an outclassed England.
But the final scoreline did not reflect the true nature of the contest, with the Kangaroos struggling for cohesion throughout the match. With the spine unable to fully mesh, it came down to some individual brilliance from fullback Reece Walsh and man-of-the-series Cameron Munster to drag the visitors across the line.
Nathan Cleary’s displays for the Kangaroos in the Ashes series have seen calls grow louder for Mitchell Moses to replace him as halfback at rep level. Pic: AAP/Getty
Cleary’s performance, as always, was a huge talking point after he again failed to deliver in a big representative match. The Penrith superstar has previously spoken about his struggles in Origin football despite being the superior club player of the past five years.
He wasn’t at his NRL-best during the Ashes series, failing to strike up a solid combination with Harry Grant, Munster and Walsh. That could be down to a lack of game time together but it hasn’t stopped the critics from singling Cleary out for mention, with one publication rating his last game a five out of 10 effort.
It’s renewed calls for Moses to slot in at half for the Blues and Australia in next year’s World Cup after proving himself in the Origin arena. The Parramatta halfback has played six Origin wins for four wins, up against Cleary’s 8-9 record.
Mitchell Moses’ record in rep footy has led to growing calls for him to replace Nathan Cleary as halfback for NSW and the Kangaroos. Pic: Getty
Calls for Mitch Moses to replace Nathan Cleary at rep level
Dual international Mat Rogers has declared Moses the superior No.7 of the two. “I’m a huge Nathan Cleary fan – I’m not a Nathan Cleary hater by any stretch – I just think Mitchell Moses is a better halfback than him,” he said.
“I think he has a better kicking game, I think he has a better running game and I just think he is the best player running around at the moment. We see when he plays at the elite level and when he is in the New South Wales team and the difference he makes in that team. This isn’t every player gets a prize situation – this is you pick the best man.”
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Many were disappointed Moses – and five other players who didn’t play on tour – weren’t used in the dead rubber third Test. League great Johnathan Thurston was not one of them.
He said: “I agree with what Kevvie (did). He’s there to win matches and that’s their best 17 so you roll them out. It was a huge success.”