New South Wales faced a setback last week with the in-camp injury of key five-eighth Mitchell Moses. However, renowned former Blues coach Phil Gould believes this adversity could ultimately strengthen the team for their upcoming match. In response to Moses’s injury, Jarome Luai from Wests Tigers has been called up and will wear the NSW jersey for the State of Origin Game II against Queensland, aiming to secure a win and reclaim the shield from Perth.
Luai, who missed out on the first game in favour of Moses, now teams up with Nathan Cleary, with whom he has previously enjoyed successful on-field chemistry. Despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding Moses’s injury, Gould noted that the established partnership between Cleary and Luai, alongside key players like Isaah Yeo and fullback Dylan Edwards, could enhance the team’s performance. He stated, “I think it makes NSW stronger,” crediting the duo’s familiarity and decision-making abilities under pressure.
The consensus among Nine’s panel of experts seems to align with Gould’s assessment. Out of nine experts predicting the outcome of Wednesday’s match, only Queensland legend Darren Lockyer has placed his bet on the Maroons, with the rest favouring NSW. In terms of potential players of the match, six experts have predicted that either Cleary or Luai will take home the honours.
Looking ahead to the match at Optus Stadium, Lockyer believes that Cameron Munster, newly appointed captain of the Maroons, could emerge as man of the match if he leads his team to victory. Other experts’ predictions include Blues’ victories by varying margins, with standout players suggested for the honour: Latrell Mitchell and Nathan Cleary frequently mentioned.
The upcoming match not only promises to be a test of skill between the two fierce rivals but also a showcase of how NSW adapts and possibly thrives despite setbacks in their line-up. All eyes will be on the new partnership of Luai and Cleary as they take to the field, aiming to deliver a commanding performance for the Blues.