LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a recent statement, NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley responded to Phil Gould's concerns regarding the suitability of Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses as a halves pairing for the State of Origin.
Gould, a former NSW coach, raised doubts about their compatibility, noting that both players tend to operate on the same side of the field.
He stated, "I think it's either Cleary and Luai or it's Moses and Luai, which is a big call to make.
I don't attest to the theory that you can play them both - that would be too clunky."
Despite the struggling performance of the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, which currently finds them at the bottom of the ladder, Daley has dismissed suggestions that Cleary, Dylan Edwards, and Isaah Yeo are at risk of missing out on the final squad for the series opener on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium.
Cleary, who has been instrumental in Penrith's previous four-straight premiership titles, has experienced a dip in form in 2025, exacerbated by injury that sidelined him during last year's Origin series.
This absence allowed Moses to shine, forming a successful partnership with Jarome Luai.
Daley acknowledged the strong performance of Moses in the last series, emphasizing Cleary's importance to the team, which indicates that he may be willing to consider the pairing of Cleary and Moses despite Gould's reservations.
"I see no issues with Moses and Cleary potentially playing alongside one another," Daley stated, suggesting that the competition for the five-eighth role between Moses and Luai could be intense.
As the May 28 series opener approaches, the dynamics of the NSW team continue to evolve amidst external skepticism, particularly focused on the performance credentials of current players in a challenging season.