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Opinion
Mitchell Moses is among the most maligned players in rugby league today. When he’s on, he is praised as one of the most entertaining players to watch.
However, when he’s off, he’s roundly criticised, bagged and blamed for the team’s performance. Sometimes fairly, sometimes harshly.
Now, he’s in the New South Wales Origin team, where the praises and criticisms are magnified.
There is good news for Moses, though. For starters, New South Wales have already wrapped up the series, so some of that pressure will come off.
One of his biggest fans is coach Brad Fittler and one of his best mates is captain James Tedesco.
Fittler has previously stated that Moses was front-runner for the halfback jersey in 2018, based off his on and off-field performances at the 2017 World Cup for Lebanon, who were coached by Freddy, until a poor start to the year curtailed his chances.
His coaching style may well be perfect for Moses.
The man most capable of getting the best out of Moses is his former Wests Tigers clubmate and current New South Wales captain, James Tedesco.
The pair became great mates when living together as they came through Wests Tigers’ lower grades. Their partnership at the club was never really given a chance to blossom due to the constant instability around them in the three years they played together.
The fact that Moses wasn’t in Canterbury’s plans for the 2018 season was a major factor in Tedesco’s decision to join the Sydney Roosters instead of the Bulldogs, while Moses went on to join Parramatta midway through the 2017 season.
Even when Moses was named Dally M Halfback of the Year in 2019, Tedesco was just as thrilled as the man himself, a sentiment reciprocated as Tedesco took out the Fullback of the Year and overall Dally M Medal.
The confidence that Fittler and Tedesco have in Moses will allow him to play his natural game.
He loves heads-up footy and with the potent backline of Tedesco, Brian To’o, Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic and Josh Addo-Carr, he will have the heads-up plays available.
He was named Player of the Tournament at the World Cup 9s in 2019, which included a hat-trick in the final against New Zealand.
Mitchell Moses has the talent and skill to play the game of his life in Origin 3.
He has one of his best mates in James Tedesco at fullback and captain, and that partnership will bring out the best of Moses.
Take what excels, is decent, respectable, and typical of the true essence of rugby league. Then double it. For 15 years we’ve been privileged to follow the parallel careers of Brett and Josh Morris.
In the past six seasons, the one-day cup in Australia has been dominated by New South Wales and Western Australia.
When you follow a team, your sporting highs and lows ride on their success. But despite this, what really captivates and entertains you are the players. No matter which team they play for, the best players are the reason we watch the game.
Apisai Koroisau’s State of Origin future is in doubt after the NSWRL slapped him with a $15,000 fine for breaching the code of conduct during Blues camp this series.
From the moment the final whistle was blown on State of Origin Game 3, NSW coach Brad Fittler and his chief advisor Greg Alexander have resembled a pair of fiery pit bulls trying desperately to defend their turf.
Only seven times in the 40-year history of three-game State of Origin series has a side won three-nil.
