Luckless Manly skipper Tom Trbojevic is likely out of contention for Origin games 1 and 2 after scans revealed a serious hamstring injury which will sideline the fullback for six to eight weeks.
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According to a club statement, Trbojevic suffered a “moderate left sided hamstring injury” against the Cowboys last Thursday night.
Trbojevic has had a cursed run with hamstring injuries but finally appeared to be over the recurring issues that had plagued his career.
“He’s not looking too good at the moment, but we will wait until we get a scan to assess the severity of it,” coach Kieran Foran said on Thursday night.
With Trbojevic not slated to return until around Round 14, he is out of contention for the Blues’ side for Game 1 and more than likely Game 2 as well.
Tolu Koula is expected to be named at fullback for Manly’s clash with Parramatta next Sunday.
MOSES DROPS ORIGIN HINT
Eels skipper Mitch Moses has gone into bat for under fire halves partner Ronald Volkman after his disappointing performance against the Titans.
Volkman, who is stepping in for the injured Jonah Pezet, didn’t have his best day out in what was his first NRL appearance in over a year.
He wasn’t alone last Sunday. Several Eels were underwhelming as the struggling Titans racked up 50 points.
The injury-ravaged Eels will aim to get their season back on track when they face the Bulldogs this afternoon and Moses is tipping Volkman to turn it around.
“If you start listening to all the outside noise and the fans and their opinions, you end up sitting with them,” Moses told Code Sports.
“I think he knows how we feel about him inside the four walls. We know how valuable he is for us and he knows that.
“It’s not just him, it’s every player. Every player hasn’t been good for us, including myself.”
The form of Moses has been indifferent in 2026.
He’s had moments of brilliance but ultimately, hasn’t had the start he would’ve liked. Granted, no team has been hit harder by injury than the Eels, who have several stars sidelined.
Given the Eels’ underwhelming start, where does it leave Moses in the Blues’ selection picture.
Nathan Cleary is guaranteed to be picked at halfback, with Moses in the running with Jarome Luai for the five-eighth role.
“If I’m winning games for the Eels, the rest will sort itself out,” Moses said.
“If they think I’m the right man for the job, I’ll put my best foot forward.
“I have done it before, so if I’m there, I’m there. If I’m not, I’m not.”
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It’s been an indifferent start to the season for Mitch Moses.Source: Getty Images
BLUES URGED TO SEEK DISPENSATION
Laurie Daley and the Blues have been urged to seek Origin selection dispensation to pick a Panthers star, with one legend desperate for “common sense to prevail”.
Moses Leota turned 13 in July 2008, making the move to Sydney from Auckland, New Zealand four months later in November with his family.
Under the NRL’s new Origin eligibility criteria, New Zealand and England internationals are able to represent NSW or Queensland, should they have lived in that state before they were 13.
Leota lands outside that selection criteria by only four months, and Penrith legend Mark Geyer has urged the NRL to hand Daley dispensation to pick the premiership-winning prop.
“Moses has spent more than half his life in Australia, and I used to coach against him when he was with St Marys and I was with Brothers,” Geyer said to the SMH.
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“Moses is as Penrith as they come. Common sense needs to prevail here. I’d happily see Moses play for NSW, and I’d be just as glad if Taumalolo and Mulitalo were available for Queensland.
“I’d definitely have Moses in my 19-man squad. He’s in career-best form.”
The NRL is reportedly willing to assess requests put to them by both Origin camps — which could see two more players return to the selection equation.
Previously, Queensland have picked Jason Taumalolo and Ronaldo Mulitalo who both came close to fitting selection criteria, but were ultimately deemed unable to feature due to the rule that excludes Leota.
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Leota has also previously been in selection calculations, but the Blues camp cooled their interest after he was deemed ineligible to feature.
“One hundred per cent I’d love to play for NSW, and I’ve been here more than half my life,” Leota said.
“I’ve been to watch Origin games, and have always loved the hype and the intensity. I loved watching Paul Gallen and the way he went after the game, and took on anything and anyone.
“It would be mad to play. I don’t hate Queensland, but I’m definitely a Blues’ supporter.”