Mitchell Moses is anticipated to make his comeback in next Monday's match against Canterbury, which could open the door for his return to the Origin squad ahead of Game II in Melbourne.
The 31-year-old halfback has been celebrated as a pivotal player for New South Wales, particularly for his remarkable performance in the 2024 series and his contribution to the Game I victory at Suncorp last year, before a calf injury prematurely ended his participation in the series.
Unfortunately, a hamstring injury sustained during training camp prevented Moses from competing in Wednesday's series opener, leading to the last-minute inclusion of debutant Ethan Strange.
Despite a thrilling last-minute victory orchestrated by James Tedesco that left NSW fans exhilarated, the decision to dismiss Kalyn Ponga has highlighted some underlying concerns within the Blues squad-who only managed one try when both teams were at full strength.
While Strange showcased impressive skills in his inaugural Origin outing, Laurie Daley emphasized that Moses remains the preferred choice for the five-eighth position in the Blues lineup.