Moses leads race for NSW jersey as Daley mulls choices | USAEMALL.com

Mitch Moses is looming as the most likely option NSW’s No.6 jersey, with the Parramatta star firming to partner Nathan Cleary in the halves for State of Origin I.

Blues officials will name their squad for the May 28 series opener after Sunday night’s clash between Wests Tigers and Penrith, with several crucial decisions to be made by Laurie Daley.

A call on whether to retain Dylan Edwards or revert to James Tedesco at fullback looms as crucial, while there are question marks over the rest of NSW’s backline.

But it is the selection squeeze in the halves that has long shaped as the most interesting.

Moses and Jarome Luai led the Blues to an historic series win in Brisbane last year, helping overturn a 1-0 series deficit after defeat at home.

But Cleary’s return from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of last year’s series has always meant Moses and Luai were realistically fighting over one spot.

Moses was close to NSW’s best player in last year’s comeback, while Luai held the advantage of being Cleary’s long-time premiership-winning partner at Penrith.

AAP understands Moses is now the likely man to win that battle, after impressing in his four games back from a foot injury at the Eels this year.

The Eel’s selection will bring into question how he and Cleary will combine, having never played together before.

Both are also dominant halves at their club, stationed on the right-hand side of the field as right-foot kickers.

Moses has not played five-eighth regularly since his days at Wests Tigers, having been the chief conductor since his arrival at Parramatta in early 2017.

Daley has been handed a number of last-minute headaches as he prepares to name his first Blues team since his last tenure ended in the same year.

Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti is under a serious injury cloud due to a calf issue, after he had appeared likely to be named on the Blues’ bench.

Manly lock Jake Trbojevic’s concussion also means he is effectively unavailable, given he would be unable to train until the days before the match while under protocols.

Trbojevic was understood to be doing well on Sunday morning after the frightening collision on Saturday night against North Queensland, but still faces a minimum 11-day standown.

The incumbent captain’s spot had already been a point of conjecture, after he was Michael Maguire’s pick to lead the team last year.

Lock Isaah Yeo, his Penrith teammate Cleary or Bulldogs skipper Stephen Crichton are now considered options to become the Blues’ next captain.

Meanwhile, Moses’ Eels teammate Zac Lomax is in a battle to retain his spot on the wing, after admitting this weekend he would be “devastated” to miss out.

Jacob Kiraz has been ruled out for a month with a calf injury, ending his chances.

But long-term first choice winger Brian To’o, as well as Lomax and Tom Trbojevic, are likely fighting over two spots, assuming NSW pick Latrell Mitchell and Crichton in the centres.

AAP has also learned that Reece Robson will keep his spot as hooker, while Mitch Barnett will remain a member of the forward pack.