New South Wales Blues head coach Laurie Daley has indicated that Mitchell Moses may strongly return to the team for Origin 2, even after Ethan Strange's impressive debut performance on Wednesday night.
Strange, who excelled in the match where the Blues staged a remarkable comeback against the Maroons, who were down to 12 men for the final 20 minutes, showed he has the qualities needed for Origin.
However, his position in the lineup remains uncertain.
Moses was initially selected to wear the number six jersey but had to withdraw due to a minor hamstring injury, leading to Strange starting and Matt Burton being added to the bench.
Having played one game with Cleary previously-a victory in the opener of the 2025 series-Moses could reunite with the Penrith star for the upcoming Games 2 and 3.
"I think Mitch, he is a big part of the team. It's not a bad hammy either, so we expect him to play [in Game 2], and if he plays, he will be part of the squad for sure," Daley stated during his post-match press conference regarding Moses' possible comeback.
Additionally, the Blues had to bring in Casey McLean late in the game after Tolutau Koula was hit high by Kalyn Ponga.
While McLean showcased strong contributions during his brief play, Daley was straightforward when questioned about his chances of starting in Game 2.
"No is the short answer. He was great, but I think this group can be a lot better, and I was happy with everyone, the way they fought. They are talented players, so we felt like we picked the right team, so I haven't lost faith in anyone," Daley commented regarding McLean's starting prospects.