Blues coach Laurie Daley’s plans for Origin II have been rocked with Eels star Mitch Moses not named for Monday’s showdown with the Bulldogs as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the series opener.
Daley was confident that the injury wasn’t serious, but the Parramatta injury report has him slated for a return in either round 15 or 16.
The Blues team will be announced early next week which means the star playmaker won’t have the chance to prove his fitness before game two on June 17, with Ethan Strange ready to keep his spot at five-eighth after being rushed into the starting side after Moses got hurt two days before the opener.
Parramatta’s opponents on Monday have named skipper Stephen Crichton despite reports he suffered a fresh shoulder injury.
Crichton sat out Tuesday’s training session but it was always the plan to give him two days off, with his Bulldogs teammates to get five days off next week.
“I’m sure ‘Critta’ will be sweet,” teammate Jacob Kiraz said, confident his skipper will be fit for Origin selection.
Kiraz also sat out the light session in Belmore as he and a couple of his teammates spent the afternoon on exercise bikes.
“It’s a long turnaround. We’ve had a couple of big games the last couple of weeks, so probably the best thing is to (rest a bit),” he said, with the powerhouse outside back in the mix to make his Origin debut.
“It’s a long week ahead and a big season, so it’s probably the best decision just to leave me off the feet today.
“I guess it’s always nice to hear (your name in the mix). I know it’s probably the answer none of you want to hear, but being honest, I’m just worried about the Bulldogs at the moment.
“The Blues had a good win and I thought Koula (Blues rookie Tolu Koula) has been outstanding.”
Meanwhile, Broncos coach Michael Maguire has dropped a bombshell with five-eighth Ezra Mam axed after his side’s shock loss to the previously winless Dragons.
Tom Duffy will start at five-eighth, with Xavier Willison shifting to lock and Grant Anderson returning from injury to replace the injured Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki.
There are some huge ins at the Rabbitohs with Brandon Smith named at hooker, while David Fifita and Campbell Graham also return to offset Latrell Mitchell’s continued absence.
They face a Manly side that has received clearance to select Koula following his head knock in the Origin opener, while Blues teammate Haumole Olakau’atu is also back.
Mark Nawaqanitawase has been named in the reserves and could make an early return for the Roosters, while Fletcher Sharpe will play five-eighth for the Knights with Sandon Smith (calf) sidelined.
The big dogs are back for Penrith with Origin trio Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo named after they were rested last week, while Jayden Berrell will start at hooker for the Sharks after Blues rookie Blayke Brailey broke his arm.