Mitchell Moses's hamstring injury and its impact on NSW Blues' State of Origin series
Consensus Summary
The core story revolves around Mitchell Moses's hamstring injury, which ruled him out of State of Origin Game I on May 28, 2026, forcing NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley to replace him with Canberra Raiders' Ethan Strange. Moses's injury occurred during training in Gosford on May 26, 2026, and was deemed 'too risky' to play 48 hours before the game. Strange made his Origin debut and played a key role in NSW's 22-20 victory over Queensland. The injury raised questions about Moses's fitness for Game II, scheduled for June 17, 2026, at the MCG. Despite not playing since his injury, Daley named Moses in the NSW squad for Game II, with Isaiya Katoa as a reserve in case Moses fails fitness checks. The articles also highlight the impact of Moses's absence on NSW's playmaking and the potential return of other key players like Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas. Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles expressed hope Moses could return for the Eels' match against Canterbury on June 8, 2026, but acknowledged uncertainty. The story underscores the challenges of managing player fitness in high-stakes matches like State of Origin.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Mitchell Moses suffered a minor hamstring tear during NSW Blues training in Gosford on May 26, 2026, ruling him out of State of Origin Game I (May 28, 2026) at Stadium Australia, Sydney.
- Ethan Strange (Canberra Raiders) made his State of Origin debut as the starting five-eighth in Game I, replacing Moses.
- State of Origin Game I was played at Stadium Australia in Sydney on May 28, 2026, with NSW Blues winning 22-20.
- Mitchell Moses was not included in the Parramatta Eels' team for their King's Birthday match against Canterbury Bulldogs on June 2, 2026, due to his injury.
- Laurie Daley, NSW Blues coach, stated Moses's injury was 'not serious' but deemed it 'too risky' to play 48 hours before Game I.
- State of Origin Game II is scheduled for June 17, 2026, at the MCG in Melbourne.
- Mitchell Moses was named in the NSW Blues squad for Game II despite not playing since his injury, with Isaiya Katoa named as a reserve in case Moses fails fitness checks.
- Eels coach Jason Ryles expressed hope Moses could play for Parramatta against Canterbury on June 8, 2026, but acknowledged it was uncertain.
- Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs) was added to the NSW Blues' 20-man squad as a stand-by for Game I due to Moses's injury.
- Ethan Strange scored 19 tries in 55 NRL matches for Canberra Raiders, including 14 tries in the 2025 season.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Moses was sent for a scan after sustaining the injury during Blues training in Gosford on Monday, May 26, 2026.
- Moses has played six Origins for the Blues, debuting in Game III of the 2021 series.
- Moses helped NSW to an 18-6 win over Queensland in the 2025 series opener.
- Moses was replaced by Ethan Strange in the Blues' line-up in Origin I, with Strange playing a key role in the 22-20 victory.
- Daley said Moses's injury was 'not serious' but 'too risky 48 hours out from the game'.
- Moses was left off the Parramatta team list for their King's Birthday match with Canterbury on Monday, June 2, 2026.
- Daley values Moses's long kicking game and has said the Eels captain would be in his squad for Origin II if he could prove his fitness.
- Tolu Koula and Haumole Olakau'atu returned to NRL action after Origin I.
- Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos) was named in the NSW squad for Game II, replacing Jacob Saifiti.
- Api Koroisau (Wests Tigers) was named for his first Origin appearance since 2023, replacing injured Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey.
- Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs) kicked a late penalty goal to help Canterbury win 14-12 over Parramatta on June 2, 2026.
- Daley said he wants a better start for NSW in Game II than their struggling performance in Game I.
- Dylan Lucas and Isaiya Katoa are potential debutants for the Blues in Game II.
- Daley said Moses's injury was 'quite minor' and he could return soon, but it was 'bad luck' rather than a trend.
- Jonah Pezet and Junior Paulo are also sidelined for Parramatta due to injuries.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 states Moses's injury was a 'minor hamstring tear,' while Article 4 describes it as a 'soft tissue injury,' with no further clarification on the exact nature of the injury.
- Article 1 says Moses was ruled out of Game I 'after injuring his hamstring at training,' while Article 5 states he 'struggled with a hamstring issue' and 'felt tightness as part of extra activities post the team session.'
- Article 2 mentions Moses was ruled out of Game I 'after sustaining a minor hamstring strain at the Blues's penultimate training session,' while Article 4 states he 'pulled up with a hamstring issue after the Blues' penultimate training session.'
- Article 3 states Moses was named in the squad for Game II 'despite having failed to play for the Eels since he was ruled out of Game I,' while Article 4 suggests Moses could play for Parramatta against Canterbury on June 8, 2026, 'at a pinch.'
Source Articles
'Too risky': Blues dealt injury blow on eve of Origin Game I
The NSW Blues have confirmed five-eighth Mitchell Moses will miss Wednesday night's State of Origin opener due to a hamstring injury.
Moses's Eels absence raises concerns over potential Origin return
NSW coach Laurie Daley is facing a crunch call over the make-up of the Blues's spine with Mitchell Moses still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Moses, Katoa named for NSW in State of Origin II squad
Parramatta five-eighth Mitchell Moses might have missed the King's Birthday match against Canterbury but he's been named in Laurie Daley's Origin squad for Game II.
Eels reveal Moses injury outlook ahead of Origin II
Parramatta do not have any concerns with the handling of Mitchell Moses's fitness in the NSW Blues set-up, as the Eels skipper faces a race against the clock to play before Game II of State of Origin.
Blues send out SOS as playmaker struggles with injury
A hamstring complaint for Mitchell Moses puts a scare through the NSW Blues, with Ethan Strange stepping up and Matt Burton called into camp ahead of State of Origin I.
Huge blow for Blues ahead of first Origin
The NSW Blues have provided a major update on one of their key players ahead of the first State of Origin clash against Queensland.