"It's a huge opportunity for him!" 💪 Will Strange be able to step up into Moses' shoes? 🤔 | NRL 360

We touched on it earlier, let's get back to it because it is big news.Now Moses is out, the game is only two nights away and he's been ruled out for Origen 1.I think a similar thing happened last year, I don't know if it was the year before, but had a player ruled out on the eve of Origen.

I'll come to you first.I'll ask you, is there a chance of Burton?I don't think so.

I think it's too late.Walker.That's what you want at Origin.It actually frees up Cleary to really own the team himself now.You know that Strange is going to do a job.He always turns up.

He very rarely has a poor game.I can't remember him having a bad game ever.He's that type of player.I don't think it's a bad thing.The concern is that Moses' success rate at Origin is 67%.That's That's really good for New South Wales considering here it is here that they've been dominated now for quite a while now.

2024 obviously they won the series there.Compare that to Nathan's and that's why you kind of get those reactions or people saying that Nathan's got a dominant origin because he's percent percentage of wins is down.

So it's a big loss either way.

Whether Strange, Burton, whatever way you want to look at it, paint a picture, to have Moses out, you mentioned the kicking game, he's been successful at Origen for a reason.

What do you reckon, like that's alarming to me, with Moses.I didn't think he would be that high.

He kills them at Origen, Gordie.He's such a natural player.I don't think people realise how much we love him.missed Mitch Moses, that's a tongue twister, after Game 1 last year.We lost, when I say we, New South Wales lost Barnett and Moses and after a big win in Game 1, we lost 2 and 3.And I think one of the key reasons behind those defeats was Mitch Moses not being there.

Because at origin level, he has slayed them every single time.

Well the year before, he was out for a round, that was Nico Hines and Jerome Lui were the halves.And then he got called in to partner Jerome Loi and they won the next two and won the series with Madge.He scored that trying game 3 to seal it for us.

You can't underrate that kicking game bro.It's so important in origin, field position, dominating territory and he gives them that.And I think this now, I know we're talking about Ethan Strange, but this is all about Nathan for me now.As we said earlier, this is his chance to own origin.It's going to, a lot of this responsibility for me is going to fall on his shoulders.I think he's comfortable with that though.

He's going to need to be brave.Because it's his time now.And we've spoken about it at length in recent years about if he wants to be considered an immortal of the game, this is the arena he needs to own.And I reckon this is a great chance for him.

And just further to that though, my concern around Nathan was Isaiah Yeo and the dominance of Mitch and not letting Nathan have the early ball, the clear ball, when he wants it, to have the freedom to play the way that we know he can play and needs to play at origin.So, although this is not great news for New South Wales, I just think that you can really look at this optimistically and turn it into a positive.I think it is his time, you know, and this is a great opportunity for him.Let's go back to Strange for a bit though.I've had my say.What do you guys think are the positives for him?

You, Fitlard, Daly, big running threats, right, in origin, with fatigue, with play the ball.I think, I'm not sure whether he's a big threat.thinker of the game.He just plays what's in front of him.And that's what you need at origin level.I think the running 5 '8 is probably the best way to play origin.

He's a big boy, isn't he, Gordie?Massive.He will take them on, no doubt about it.Look, he was on that Kangaroo tour.He didn't play a test match, but he picked up a lot of experience over there.And I think you're right, Gordie.

He'll just play eyes up footy, what's in front of him.and we've known for a few years now he's a prodigy that's going to the top.Look, if he dominates this game, there's no reason why Ethan Strange can't be New South Wales 6 for 5, 6, 7 years.He's got long term written all over him.

I think the bit of him is, as we said, Nathan, control the game and just let him do what he wants to do.Run the footy.Don't worry about controlling the game, the kicking game, directing blokes around.Just get the ball and play your game.Run the football.

I was just thinking then, when you mentioned if he does dominate and play well, strange, what happens?It's the game of rugby league, it just keeps on delivering, right?But it's the scenarios that will play out after.You know, even the fact that he'll be playing left -side strange, I would think, which is what he played last year, which is probably his preferred side.He's moved over to the right, with Sanders there, and he hasn't been as effective this year, but the team's obviously not been performing at the same level as last, but I think he'd be comfortable there, which actually partners him up with Hudson Young as well.if I'm just trying to look at the size that it does.

So that's a positive as well and that's something that Laurie would be looking into.Burton does come into camp though, I mean he'd have to be the highest earner who hasn't played a game.

How many times has he been there anyway?I think he played that game because he got in a punch up with Gay Guy.

He's had 120K for not playing a game I reckon.

Does age come into it at all in State of Origin?It's such a high pressure moment, high pressure game.For who?For Ethan Strange.He's only 21.He's had 55.

NRL games.I know he's ready, but I'm asking you, do you think age is a factor at all?

I don't.I don't.I don't.I don't think it is.Just back on the Burton, is he a chance of playing?That's what I was trying to get at.

Of course he is.He's on the six -man bench.

Could that be a curveball late?

I don't know.He can't start.I think that would be really disrespectful of Ethan Strange.He was in the original 19.He has to come in and play with the weekend as well.

I did it before.Burton was on the bench and they brought Luai over the top.

Look, you've backed Strange.You've got him in the squad.He starts, Burton's on your bench, he gives you that versatility.It's almost a like for like replacement.He can play centre, he can play on the halves like Ethan Strange.He only played on Friday night, it was outstanding Matt Burton.

So he's in good touch, he's a good weapon to have up your sleeve.

Strange will start, I don't think there's any suggestion from inside the Blues camp that it will be Matt Burton.

Before we move on, are you more or less confident as a Queenslander with this?

No, it doesn't change.I think it's the way we play.I don't think it's about what New South Wales do.I think it's about the way we prepare and we play on Wednesday night.

I'm more confident.What a wussy answer that is.What do you want me to say?Say something decent.Yeah, say it Gordie.Say it, yes or no.

What are you saying?

He asked you.I think for Queensland it's a great result.

I don't think it's about you guys, I think it's how we play.

I think it's a great result for Queensland.That's why I asked Gordie that.I think it's a great result.It has to be.As I said, Mitchell Moses kept his name because I did the best in the comp.

Clearly now Queensland's favourites.Now that you've said that, the Blues will be shivering in their boots already.

Well we're not favourites.

Well you have to be favourites.

Well we're not, surely.

You get your back up so much, it's like you played original football.I didn't play soccer either, alright.

I did, sorry.Trill, Payne, Mitchell, there's three.And you didn't pick two Australian wingers and an Australian back row.Well we've got a couple of good wingers out there.Break it up you two.