Origin II Bombshell: Moses Out, Luai In — NSW Scrambles Ahead of Perth Clash
You’d be forgiven for thinking the Blues camp had walked under a ladder. Just days out from Origin II, star playmaker Mitch Moses has been ruled out with a calf strain, dealing a sizeable blow to NSW’s plan to seal the series in Perth.
“It’s terrible, isn’t it?” said coach Laurie Daley, proving once again that in footy, you don’t need a thesaurus to deliver bad news.
In stepped Jarome Luai, straight off the paddock at Wests Tigers training, called up in true Origin fashion — at the eleventh hour and with all the drama of a soapie.
Moses’ Injury: What Happened?
| Injury | Details |
|---|---|
| Body Part | Calf (yes, the same one from earlier this year) |
| Occurred During | Training at Blues camp in the Blue Mountains |
| Timing | Less than one week out from Origin II |
| Medical Status | Sent for scans – but ruled out regardless |
| Coach’s Reaction | “He won’t be any good for Wednesday” – Laurie Daley |
Who Replaces Him? Enter Jarome “Don’t Call It a Comeback” Luai
- Previously axed in favour of Moses for Game I
- Now back, thanks to an NRL exemption (not a wildcard, sadly)
- Known for his chemistry with Nathan Cleary
- Won 4 NRL premierships with Penrith
- Has played 6 Origin games alongside Cleary
Daley called Luai directly on Thursday, likely opening with, “Mate, what are you doing next Wednesday?” Luai said yes before you could say “Blatchys Blues”.
NSW Blues Halves Swap Summary
| Position | Game I | Game II (Now) |
|---|---|---|
| Halfback | Nathan Cleary | Nathan Cleary (still solid) |
| Five-eighth | Mitch Moses | Jarome Luai |
| 18th Man | Matt Burton (Canterbury) | Still Matt Burton (no change) |
Why This Matters for the Series
- NSW leads 1-0 in the series
- Game II is in Perth (neutral territory, aka “not Suncorp, thank God”)
- Moses was building momentum — a calf strain stops that cold
- Luai brings flair, chaos, and some Panthers-level familiarity
Daley’s take? “He played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he’s that left-side player. He’ll do a fine job.”
Translation: “We’re winging it a bit, but it’s Origin, so we back ourselves.”
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Moses Injury at Training | Thursday, June 12 |
| Luai Officially Called Up | Same day |
| Luai Arrives at Blues Camp | Thursday afternoon |
| State of Origin Game II | Thursday, June 19 |
| Next Squad Update | August (if needed for Game III) |
Final Whistle: Can Luai Be the Spark NSW Needs?
Luai’s no stranger to Origin intensity, and while Moses’ absence stings more than a kick from Latrell, the Cleary-Luai combo is the stuff of Penrith legend. Whether they can make magic in blue remains to be seen — but it’s do or die for the Maroons, and just maybe for Luai’s Origin legacy too.
