- Star halfback Mitchell Moses backed Nicho Hynes to deliver for NSW
- It comes as the 27-year-old Cronulla Sharks playmaker is battling a calf injury.
- Eels playmaker Moses tipped as replacement if Hynes fails to perform
Mitchell Moses says Nicho Hynes “deserves the opportunity” to play at halfback for the Blues, and the returning Eels star is backing NSW to get the job done.
Parramatta’s number 7 is the Blues’ starting halfback but was unavailable for selection for the series opener after breaking his left foot in round three.
Moses would have been the obvious choice to play alongside injured Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary, but as much as he pushed for an early return, it wasn’t meant to be.
Hynes, on the other hand, will lead the team around the Accor Stadium park, despite having a calf problem of his own.
‘I hope they win. “I think the team that Madge (Blues coach Michael Maguire) has picked is incredible,” Moses said, and the Eels star is likely to be considered for the second game if NSW don’t win on June 5.
Mitchell Moses says Nicho Hynes ‘deserves the chance’ to play at halfback for NSW in Origin series opener on June 5
Hynes is battling a calf injury and has barely trained with the Blues ahead of the first game against the Maroons.
“I have to play well to be in the conversation, but I really hope they win.” I wish you the best.
“He’s picked a great team and I think they’ll get the job done.” ‘It’s a great opportunity for him (Hynes). He won a Dally M a few years ago and is playing very well, so he deserves the opportunity.
“He’s going to go out and take pride in the jersey.”
Moses also said he felt “helpless” watching how the club’s board recently fired his mentor Brad Arthur.
“It was really hard to watch,” he said.
‘I felt helpless seeing the coach (leave) that I had practically since I arrived at the club… I had such a good relationship with him.
“He taught me a lot about football and I probably wouldn’t be the player I am today without him.
“It was pretty tough watching from the sidelines and not being able to help at all, and then seeing what happened.”
“I guess that’s football, I had to move on and we had to move on as a club.”
