By STAFF REPORTERS
PARRAMATTA halfback Mitchell Moses will make his NSW State of Origin debut versus Queensland on Wednesday, July 14.
NSW coach Brad Fittler announced the team on Sunday night, for the final game of the series.
The Blues have already won the series, leading the 2021 annual battle with the Maroons, 2-0.
Fittler has coached NSW in 2018, 2019, 2020 and this year. Fittler has coached the Blues to series wins in 2018, 2019, and this year.
Queensland, with a depleted squad through injury won the 2020 series, 2-1, in the annual three game series.
Moses, 26, replaces injured halfback Nathan Cleary, who is sidelined between four to six weeks with a shoulder injury.
Moses has matured and developed his all-round game, and helped steer the Eels, into fourth place, in the 2021 NRL competition.
The experienced halfback has helped drive the Eels into the past two finals series
Three years ago he played for Lebanon in the rugby league world cup, that team coached by Fittler.
Fittler is a long-time admirer of Moses and in recent days praised the halfback’s maturity in attack and defence. Fittler praised the clever halfback’s game on Saturday.
“With Mitch last night (referring to the game versus Penrith), I thought from my point of view, Mitch was really good,” Fittler said.
Junior Paulo dominant
Parramatta has another NSW rep in Origin game three, prop Junior Paulo, who was dominant in the opening two games with his powerful running game.
Moses missed a penalty goal in the final stages of last Friday’s 13 to 12 loss against Penrith at Penrith.
The ball shaved the posts and Moses was a standout performer in the local derby. The Eels are fourth on 24 points and have the bye this weekend.
Venue for the final game is scheduled for Stadium Australia, but it could be moved, as NSW is in lockdown with the Covid 19 pandemic, until Friday, July 9, at this stage.
The NRL is in discussions with the NSW government, about the venue for the game.
One venue under consideration is at Newcastle, home of the Newcastle Knights. The NRL is expected to finalise the venue very soon.
Parramatta will next play on the NRL versus Gold Coast Titans, on the Gold Coast, on Friday, July 16, at 6pm.
IMAGE: Mitchell Moses, left, in action with Eels.
