‘I’m ready to go’: Moses allays fears over hamstring ahead of Origin II

Melbourne: Mitchell Moses has delivered the six words every NSW fan has wanted to hear: “I’m good, I’m ready to go.”

Moses’ injured left hamstring had been arguably the biggest story leading into Wednesday night’s second Origin clash against Queensland.

But after he survived Saturday’s training session, then ran at full speed again on Monday in Melbourne, the Parramatta playmaker said he had fully recovered and had no concerns about his ability to get through 80 minutes of high-intensity football at the MCG.

Ethan Strange, who was phenomenal when replacing Moses in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary in Sydney, has been listed in the NSW No.18 jersey but is expected to be one of four players utilised on the six-man interchange.

Coach Laurie Daley would not be drawn, but sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed Strange was likely to be introduced midway through the second half in a lock role, where he would be entrusted with trying to break the game open through the middle against tiring Queensland defence.

Strange will replace Moses should he go down, while he is also capable of playing in the centres if there is an injury in the outside backs. The 21-year-old was a starting centre for NSW at under-19s level, and began his NRL career in that position.

Moses, who pulled up with hamstring tightness 48 hours before Origin I, said he was looking forward to performing on the big stage after being denied that chance with Parramatta over the past three seasons.

“Not having so much joy at clubland, then you get a chance to come into this arena, [you get] a newfound energy,” Moses said.

“I get excited coming into these camps. We haven’t gone too well at Parramatta the last few years, so to come in and be able to perform on this stage, it’s massive, and I love it. I can’t wait to get out there. I’m good, I’m ready to go.”

Pressed on how confident he was regarding his hamstring, Moses nodded and said: “Very. I’m confident in myself; I’ll go out there and do a job; I’m confident I’ve put the work in, and feel like I’m in a good position to perform on Wednesday night.”

Five days after he pulled up tight in NSW camp before game one, Moses suffered a setback in the rehab process, which forced him to miss the Eels’ clash against Canterbury last Monday.

He has not played since Magic Round a month ago, and will no doubt be targeted in defence by the Maroons. His booming right boot will take the pressure off his halves partner – and roommate in camp – Cleary.

Daley said of Moses’ return to the side: “He’s got an influence on the group, he’s confident, he gives others confidence, he’s a great communicator, and complements Nathan so well.”

Moses was a big fan of the energy Strange has brought to the Blues camp, and predicted he would “wear the sky blue a long time”.

Mark Nawaqanitawase also spoke about making his Blues debut, after his opportunity arose after Casey McLean injured himself on Saturday.

Nawaqanitawase is expected to start on the right wing, outside Kotoni Staggs, with Brian To’o switching to left wing outside new centre Tolu Koula.

Despite having already represented the Wallabies at a World Cup, and Australia in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics, Nawaqanitawase admitted there would be plenty of nerves preparing for his first appearance on league’s biggest stage.