EXCLUSIVE: New South Wales icon Andrew Johns is worried the Blues have let Mitchell Moses′ injury query linger too long over camp before the second State of Origin game.
Moses injured his hamstring during camp before game one, which the Blues won 22-20 thanks to Queensland losing Kalyn Ponga to a send off in the 57th minute.
The Eels halfback hasn’t played since but was named in Laurie Daley’s side on Tuesday, with Origin rookie Ethan Strange moved back to the extended bench and Dolphins young gun Isaiya Katoa brought into camp as cover.
Moses underwent a fitness test on Wednesday and was supposed to be able to train fully with the team on Thursday, but Nine’s Danny Weidler reported the playmaker was instead undergoing more tests away from the main group.
Daley initially said Moses had to train fully by Thursday in order to take his place on the field at the MCG next Wednesday, but that deadline has clearly been pushed back.
Complicating matters is the fact Katoa was released from camp to rejoin his Dolphins, and is set to play the NRL game against the Roosters on Friday night.
Johns says Daley should have made a definitive call on Moses’ fitness on Wednesday, rather than let it hang over the team for several days.
He was asked on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour whether he thinks Moses will be fit to play the game or not.
“I don’t know, I really can’t answer that. I would be leaning towards yes, but it’s only in pencil,” Johns said.
“It’s not ideal. I thought Wednesday would be the cut-off point. But the sports scientists, the doctors and the physios, you can’t question that.
“But I’m looking purely from the fact of preparation, the way they are going to play, because if Mitchell plays it’s going to be completely different to if Ethan Strange plays.
“It’s not only Nathan (Cleary) and Reece Robson and Teddy (James Tedesco), it is backrowers, it is everyone (who will be impacted). So it’s not ideal.”
Blues prop Addin Fonua-Blake on Thursday denied suggestions the Moses issue was causing a headache for teammates.
“I don’t think it’s a disruption at all,” Fonua-Blake said.
“Mitch is a professional, he knows what he has to do to get his body through it.”
If Moses can’t take the field in Melbourne, Raiders five-eighth Strange is expected to be put back into the starting team.
He enjoyed a stellar Origin debut in Sydney last month, and would have arguably been man of the match if not for his halves partner Nathan Cleary.
But Johns says the entire dynamic of the NSW team changes if Strange replaces Moses, and fears the Blues will be caught short if the switch happens at late notice.
“They are a totally different team (if Strange plays),” he said.
“It will mix up the kicking game, it’s going to be wet down in Melbourne next Wednesday.
“I think they are stronger (if Moses plays), but it’s totally different. Because Mitch doesn’t have the running game of Ethan, and Ethan doesn’t have the kicking or passing game of Mitch.
“Ethan Strange rarely passes, it’s just a run threat, which I think suits Origin.
“They will mix it up, Moses and Cleary, who’s in first receiver… so it’s not going to be as predictable, but it’s just totally different, the way they’re going to play.”
Johns believes the Blues could be in for more than one team change before kick off on Wednesday.
He wants to see young gun Casey McLean start on a wing rather than at centre, and swap with Tolu Koula who normally defends one in from the sideline.
Johns is also keen to see Cameron Murray brought off the bench to start at lock.
