NSW's Mitch Moses ruled out of State of Origin II
NSW five-eighth Mitch Moses has been ruled out of the second State of Origin match after suffering a calf strain at training.
The injury is a big blow to the Blues' hopes of sealing a series victory in Perth on Wednesday.
The Blues will determine the Parramatta five-eighth's replacement later on Thursday afternoon, with Jarome Luai and Matt Burton the leading options.
Moses was preferred to Luai for the opening game of the series, while Burton was named replacement player for game two.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Can't allow that': Calls for NRL to step in over Latrell's $30,000 refusal
Matty Johns and David Riccio have called on the NRL to intervene and demand players like Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu fulfil their media commitments in State of Origin camp. And there's a real fear that Origin 2 in Perth could be a flop unless they do. Mitchell hasn't spoken to the media at all this year, with South Sydney keen to protect him and ensure he remains focused on footy. Leniu has also been held back and hasn't been made to front reporters since his altercation with Johnathan Thurston after a Roosters game earlier this season. Both players have been allowed to continue their media ban in State of Origin camp with NSW, but it's contributed to a lack of hype and excitement around the games so far. The build-up to Origin 1 seemed to lack any real spice, and it's been largely the same ahead of Game 2 in Perth. Speaking on SEN radio on Friday, leading reporter Riccio feared for the game in Perth (now and in the future) if it's not promoted properly. And he pointed out that Queensland's decision not to kick-off to Leniu in Game 1 should be a major talking point before the second game, but Leniu isn't available to the media to talk about it. "The NRL need to be careful with State of Origin, because what we saw in Origin 1 was the closest thing we've seen to an NRL game," Riccio said in regards to the quality of Game 1. "The media build-up and promotion is critical to the hype and excitement before the game, but it's become so boring and so vanilla. "We're not hearing from the actual players. The game has a responsibility to ensure the actual superstars promote the game and sell the game." Johns pointed out that players are paid $30,000 for an Origin game, and should be compelled to speak to the media. "If you're getting paid that money, I think it's your responsibility to talk," he said. "And it's your responsibility to build the game up." Riccio warned the NRL against "resting on it's laurels" and assuming Origin will always remain the juggernaut that it is with TV ratings and ticket sales. He pointed out that with Perth getting an NRL team in 2027, it's more important that ever to make Origin 2 in WA a resounding success. And he believes part of that revolves around the officials giving the players some extra leeway with the way the game is refereed. "We can't allow Game 2 to unfold the way the first one did," he declared. "This game has to be an absolute spectacle to win over the West Australian public." Johns added: "If this is a dour and low-key game it will really be alarming. Queensland will come out blazing and they're going to have to let a little bit of stuff go (the referees). Unless it's something obvious, just let the players decide it." RELATED: Calls for immediate change amid apparent NSW rule breach Nathan Cleary comes clean amid rumour around Mary Fowler Riccio and Denan Kemp said the NRL had missed a trick in not forcing Mitchell and Leniu to end their media boycott, particularly in light of the Maroons' decision not to kick to Leniu in Game 1. "The NRL need to cultivate an environment in which the players feel safe to say whatever they want (to an extent)," Kemp said.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Not allowed': NSW caught in rule breach drama over State of Origin selection
NRL fans are calling for change to the farcical rules around the 18th man in State of Origin, after it was revealed on Thursday night that Tom Trbojevic knocked back the chance to be NSW's emergency player in Game 1 so he could play for Manly. And it raises questions about whether the rules were breached by allowing him to do so. Bulldogs fans are fuming that Matt Burton is once again 18th man for the Blues in Game 2, given it means he can't play club footy this weekend. Because the 18th man has become such a vital player on game-day and could be called into action if a player is ruled out through an act of foul play, they need to be training with their respective Origin teams all week. The other members of the extended squads are released back to their clubs for the weekend's games, but the 18th man has to stay in camp and remain fully-fit to play. It means Burton will miss a fifth game for the Bulldogs while serving a role for NSW that means he's every chance to sit on the sideline all game. The situation was made even worse for Burton and Bulldogs fans on Thursday when Jarome Luai was parachuted into the starting team to replace the injured Mitchell Moses at five-eighth, despite not being named in the initial squad. Burton was named 18th man earlier this week, and many feel he's been hard done by to not be replacing Moses. Nathan Hindmarsh said on Triple M radio on Thursday: "I've got to feel a little bit disappointed for Burton. He's been carried as 18th man before, just give him a run. I think his combination with Nathan Cleary would have worked alright." RELATED: Laurie Daley's concerning admission about NSW player under cloud Selwyn Cobbo tipped for sad Broncos exit after 'secret meeting' If Burton and the Bulldogs weren't already annoyed enough, a new revelation about Trbojevic will add to the frustration. Michael Chammas of revealed on Thursday night that Turbo was picked as 18th man for Origin 1, but withdrew so he could play for Manly that weekend. It remains to be seen whether the Bulldogs knew that was an option for Burton as well. Trbojevic has been plagued by injury over the last few years and reportedly felt obliged to knock back a spot in the Blues' squad so he could be available for the Sea Eagles against Parramatta. But it seemingly breaks NRL rules around representative games, with players not allowed to withdraw from rep footy unless they're injured or have a compelling reason. The rule reared its head last year when Kalyn Ponga was forced to backflip and make himself available for Kangaroos selection, even though he eventually wasn't picked anyway. "The 18th man shouldn't be selected until the Sunday night before an Origin," Chammas wrote. "Allow the states to pick extended squads as they do now, but send players 18, 19 and 20 back to their clubs. And at the end of the round, having determined everyone's fitness, then decide who [the 18th man] should be." NRL fans made the same argument on social media on Thursday, particularly after Burton was overlooked in favour of Luai to replace Moses. Many described it as a "joke" that Burton can't play for the Bulldogs this weekend, and the revelation about Trbojevic only adds to the controversy. Many pointed out that the 18th man should simply be picked from a team on the bye to avoid any drama, as was the case with Campbell Graham in Game 1 (after Turbo withdrew). So let me get this straight:👉 Burton, 18th man, and is unavailable for Bulldogs.👉Moses gets ruled outObvious thing to do? Request an exemption from the NRL and leave Burton 18th man 💀These rules, and Laurie Daley, are a joke 🤡 DISRESPECTED #stateoforigin — Larry Taylor (@thelarrytaylor) June 12, 2025 Geez Burton must feel awesome. — T Hampshire (@trenthampshire) June 12, 2025 Absolute joke release Burton now!!! 18th man WTAF!!! — Craig Brian Peter Coyle (@cbpcoyle) June 12, 2025 Let them pick THREE after the round and they can use any of the three depending on who is injured. All sides - club and state - get a better a deal. — cowsandguns (@sc_cowsandguns) June 12, 2025 Understand with 19th and 20th But 18th should be fresh. As we've seen with Moses going down. But controversly they have not used the 18th — Rob Cotterill (@robbiecotterill) June 12, 2025 Burton is too valuable at 18th Man. It just makes sense to bring in Luai in this situation. I mean, he's only won 4 Premierships with the 1,7&13 — Mike Scolz (@skulzy87) June 12, 2025
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
City's FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Fantasy ratings confirmed
City's FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Fantasy ratings have been confirmed! After selecting the 27-man squad to travel to the United States, Pep Guardiola, staff and players flew across the Atlantic with the Blues one of 32 teams competing at the tournament, which is available to watch for free around the world on DAZN. Advertisement Our group phase sees us lock horns with Moroccan outfit Wydad AC, Abu Dhabi side Al Ain and Italian giants Juventus. PLAY FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP FANTASY HERE And City's players could prove to be useful assets in FIFA Club World Cup fantasy where player receives an $100m dollar budget to assemble a team of 15 to score as many points as possible during each round of fixtures. Each City player's value can be found below with new signings Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Rayan Cherki's prices to be confirmed. WATCH: Watch: Every City goal in the 2024/25 Premier League CITY VALUES Marcus Bettinelli: $4m Advertisement Stefan Ortega Moreno: $5.1m Ederson: $5.6m Ruben Dias: $5.8m Tijjani Reijnders (TBC) John Stones: $5.6m Nathan Ake: $5.6m Omar Marmoush: $8.0m Erling Haaland: $11m Jeremy Doku: $7m Nico Gonzalez: $5.7m Rodri: $6.2m Ilkay Gundogan: $6m Bernardo Silva: $6.7m Rayan Ait-Nouri (TBC) Vitor Reis: $4.4m Josko Gvardiol: $6.1m Manuel Akanji: $5.6m Savinho: $6.2m Matheus Nunes: $4.9m Rayan Cherki (TBC) Claudio Echeverri: $5.9m Abdukodir Khusanov: $4.9m Phil Foden: $8.1m Oscar Bobb: $4.7m Nico O'Reilly: $4.9m Rico Lewis: $4.9m
