Mitchell Moses ruled out of State of Origin Game I due to hamstring injury; Ethan Strange to debut
Consensus Summary
Mitchell Moses was ruled out of the State of Origin Game I opener on May 28, 2026, after suffering a minor hamstring injury during training on May 26. The injury, confirmed as a 'minor hamstring tear' through scans, was deemed too risky to play 48 hours before the match. This opens the door for Canberra Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange, 21, to make his Origin debut at five-eighth, partnering halfback Nathan Cleary. Matt Burton was added to the Blues' 20-man squad as a stand-by. NSW coach Laurie Daley downplayed the injury's severity, emphasizing the team's resilience in handling unexpected setbacks. Strange, who has impressed in the NRL and was part of the Kangaroos' Ashes tour, is seen as a capable replacement, with praise from former coaches and teammates. The match will be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney, with the Blues aiming to bounce back from Moses' absence.
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Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Mitchell Moses suffered a hamstring injury during Blues training on Monday, May 26, 2026, at Polytec Stadium in Gosford, ruling him out of State of Origin Game I.
- Ethan Strange will start at five-eighth for NSW Blues in State of Origin Game I on May 28, 2026, at Stadium Australia in Sydney, marking his Origin debut.
- Matt Burton was added to the Blues' 20-man squad as a stand-by for Moses, subject to ARLC approval.
- Moses completed the team session on Monday but felt tightness during extras, leading to scans confirming a 'minor hamstring tear' that was deemed too risky to play 48 hours out.
- State of Origin Game I is scheduled for Wednesday, May 28, 2026, at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
- Ethan Strange is 21 years old and has scored 19 tries in 55 NRL games, including 14 tries in the 2025 season.
- Laurie Daley is the NSW Blues coach, and he confirmed Moses' absence and Strange's starting role.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Isaah Yeo told Daley about Moses' injury after training, and Yeo is confident Strange will handle the pressure.
- Daley mentioned Moses may be a chance to play at Parramatta this weekend, describing the injury as 'very minor'.
- Daley said Strange's bigger frame makes him a threat, comparing him to his own playing style.
- Yeo noted Strange was a 'sponge' during the Ashes tour and is 'only going to bring half that to that arena' in terms of tackle difficulty.
- Daley emphasized that the team's success depends on 17 players working hard, not just Nathan Cleary's individual performance.
- Moses has played six Origins for the Blues, debuting in Game III of the 2021 series.
- Moses shone in the 2025 series opener, helping NSW win 18-6 at Lang Park in Brisbane.
- Matt Burton has been 18th man for NSW in five of its past nine Origin games, including being named 18th man in five of the last nine games but never playing.
- Strange was part of the Kangaroos tour to England over the off-season and played for NSW in the 2023 U19 State of Origin game, scoring a hat-trick.
- Former Blues coach Phil Gould and NSW great Andrew Johns have praised Strange's form over the last 18 months.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Article 1 (NEWSCOMAU) states Moses suffered a 'calf injury while in camp ahead of Origin II last year,' but this detail is not mentioned in the ABC articles.
- Article 1 (NEWSCOMAU) mentions Moses had a 'strain of the hammy' and it was 'nothing major,' while Article 3 (ABC) describes it as a 'minor hamstring tear,' though both agree it is not serious.
Source Articles
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