Mitch Moses has trained away from his NSW Blues teammates again on Thursday as fears over his availability for State of Origin II reach new heights.
The Parramatta Eels star, boldly picked by coach Laurie Daley as he continues to recover from a hamstring issue which ruled him out of the Origin opener, sat out the Blues’ first training session on Wednesday.
Coach Laurie Daly had stated Moses would need to “train flat out on Thursday” in order to be selected.
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And while Channel 9 have revealed Moses was “unscathed through personalised running drills,” it has also been confirmed he did not feature in the opposed session against semi-professional side Mounties.
Yet despite the fears surrounding Moses’ progression, the Blues are said to be happy with where he is at ahead of Wednesday’s clash at the MCG.
AAP reportedly contacted Blues staff who “only hoped for Moses to be running unencumbered by Thursday” — something he managed.
And the decision to send home Moses’ injury cover Isaiya Katoa would suggest they remain confident the Eels man will be ready in time.
Reserve hooker Api Koroisau said before Thursday’s session: “Mitch is one of those guys you have so much trust in.
“He’s a full professional. Regardless of what happens today, we know he’ll be good for the game even if he can’t get through.”
Panthers star Casey McLean impressed from the bench in the opener and is expected to start despite injuring his ankle in Sunday’s win over West Tigers.
Like Moses, he had limited training on Thursday, but this was planned by the team following the knock at the weekend.
McLean will replace Stephen Crichton after the Bulldogs captain was ruled out with a shoulder problem.
Daley decided it was not worth managing Crichton through his injury, yet he has kept faith in Moses.
The Blues’ final field session before flying to Melbourne takes place at the Central Coast Stadium on Saturday.
Originally published as NSW alarm bells ringing as major Mitch Moses update revealed