When Brad Fittler and the NSW Blues announced that Canberra Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton and Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses were going to be the halves combination for the third and final game for the Blues, I was very critical due to the duo’s form at club level, which has been somewhat up and down.
Wighton has probably in the worst form heading into State of Origin Game 3 out of the pair and Moses failed to secure the win and the two points against a Penrith Panthers side that had no Nathan Cleary.
Now people can say that it wasn’t only Moses who failed and that the Panthers were only missing one big player in Cleary but look how the Blues played on Wednesday without him.
It was a disastrous display in attack from the Blues as they failed to secure the clean sweep against the Queensland Maroons.
Moses played okay at certain moments in the match and produced some hard tackles on some of the Queensland players and he did end with two try assists.
Wighton did finish with one try and one try assist but they weren’t the cleanest of assists and the Blues’ attack was a shambles most of the time.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The only way that the Blues’ attack would’ve actually looked good is if Brad Fittler picked the Souths combination of Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker, who have both been on fire in recent weeks.
The only argument I’ve heard mainly is if Nathan Cleary was injured then Moses would be a like-for-like in terms of playing style and age and that Reynolds is too old.
Well Reynolds and Walker would’ve performed way better than what Moses and Wighton did on Wednesday night and would’ve been able to lay a stable platform and create forward momentum for players like James Tedesco, Damien Cook, Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, which allows the Blues to produce points.
The Blues really struggled to lay a solid platform and produce points against a Queensland side that was beatable if NSW were able to finish off certain plays and produce more attacking plays in the Maroons’ defensive ten-metre area.
The Blues’ halves in Game 3 produced a combined two line break assists, 33 tackles for seven misses and one error.
The Blues also missed Cleary’s running game with the Panthers halfback running for over 100 metres in the first two Origin games, which is actually underrated.
But Moses averages around 70 running metres in season 2021 and he was basically non-existent in Game 3, only running for 26 metres.
Fair play and nothing but praise for Queensland winning that final game but as a Blues fan who has witnessed a Maroons domination for over a decade, I really wanted to get a clean sweep on Queensland, but I knew we were in danger when Moses and Wighton were announced as the halves pairing.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cowboys have more halves than NSW has fullbacks don’t they? :laughing: As I say, I think in a strong team, with good coaching he could kick on quickly. His entire career has been in a pop gun attack behind a dominated forward pack…
Rob
Guest
I’d love him to be at the Cowboys.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Oh they existed alright, Wighton was the guy who refused to pass to the best centres in the Game and kicked like a horse. Moses was the guy doing ballerina impressions crabbing across field throwing dummies to himself and kicking the ball in the air from time to time.when he wasn't being clobbered
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
A bit like how Cronk, Slater and Smith made big Mal look so good for all those years.
Peter
Guest
Totally agree on Hunt’s second try. No intent, no urgency, just cruising from Moses. Gave Hunt an easy inside passage to the line. Very poor
Bill
Guest
I’m not a Wighton fan, I support the Raiders and thought they played better without him against Manly just recently. Certainly his kicking game sucks. Hopeless. But yeah average, you’re right but some of the NSW players also failed to fire it can’t all done to him. I’d do agree tho, those Panthers halves are on fire right now, missed big time. Bill
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
Neither of the two were great by any stretch, but Wighton has a lot more to answer for than Moses does. By far the worse performance of the two.
Anton
Roar Pro
WA Sharks Fan, I completely agree with you mate. I was so frustrated when Walker and Reyno weren't named. I immediately knew that we weren't going to win when Moses and Wighton were named.
Anton
Roar Pro
Bill, I thought Wighton was average. His vision on attack is poor when it comes to passing and kicking but running is strong. Unfortunately Moses and Wighton were never going to work. NSW would've won if Reynolds and Walker were in the halves
Anton
Roar Pro
Pete, I thought Moses in the first half was okay with a few of his defensive decisions but overall was essentially non existent on attack.
WA Sharks Fan
Roar Rookie
Interesting choices weren’t they. I would have thought ARey and Walker would have been a better option based on being there before, and their combinations with Cook, Latrell and Murray would have been very valuable.
Bill
Guest
Didn’t think Wighton was that bad, though agree re Moses. QLD won it more than this pair post it though. Bill
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The best player in the game wasn't an issue when NSW put 76 on them in 2 games. All of a sudden his style of play is an issue?
Con
Guest
I fully agree with you. Bad choice of half's for origin 3
Con
Guest
I fully agree with your comments. He is lucky he has such good players in his squad , Picking mates don't win state of origin games. Reynolds and Walker would have been my pick'.
Rob
Guest
I think most of that goes down to the halves. Both Teddy and Turbo were pretty well contained for most of the night.There was very little structure in attack which meant that when Turbo and Teddy got the ball they were trying to create something out of nothing.
Con Hadjidakis
Guest
It was never going to work, Moses with Wighton ,club land and State of origin is a different game you need players that have played origin before and expirience. Reynolds and Walker would have been an ideal pairing, with Damien Cook ,Cam Murray, Mitchel ,Turbo & CO. Bit late now supercoach Freddy.
kk
Roar Pro
The GGoA may soon need vaccinating against the 6 again rule.
kk
Roar Pro
Albo, Hope all the Penrith boys are fit and well for Sunday. Brian To'o is fast becoming my favourite player. He has it all.
Pete
Guest
Moses was poor in the first half but I thought he was much better in the 2nd half. Wighton on the other hand just looked way out of his depth. Not convinced at all the he should be playing in the halves. He has zero playmaking ability and his footy IQ doesn't seem to be all that high. There's been a lot of talk about Latrell's missed conversion but not much about the chance on our left side that Wighton butchered. We had an overlap with Latrell and To'o and once again Wighton held onto the ball. If he gives that ball we probably score and go up 24-18.