Mitchell Moses has steered the Blues towards a State of Origin decider and it might have been the best performance of his entire rugby league career.
The halfback, who narrowly missed out on selection in game one due to a foot injury, was the focal point of NSW’s attacking onslaught in their 38-18 victory over Queensland.
Moses finished with four try assists as the Blues flew out of the gates at the MCG, while also showing up in defence with 23 tackles as the Maroons looked to target him.
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Parramatta’s marquee man was awarded Man of the Match honours post-game but remained humble and paid credit to his teammates for doing the hard yards.
“It was a good performance, we started the way we wanted to,” Moses said on Nine.
“We earned the right to play footy, we defended well first. I thought we just had a simple game plan and we stuck to it. Some silly stuff in the second half hurt us.
“It’s a good feeling, but it was a team performance. The forwards laid an outstanding platform and our back five were unbelievable.”
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Moses’ lowkey response to his individual display wasn’t matched by NSW legend Andrew Johns, who couldn’t help but heap praise on the playmaker.
“It was a nine out of 10 … he had total control of the game,” Johns said.
“He combined really well with Jarome Luai. His defence was really good.
“It was the best game I have ever seen him play and at the highest level, which is the highest compliment you can pay for a halfback.”
Phil Gould was equally impressed by the 29-year-old and believes his inclusion at halfback was the major difference between the first two games of the Origin series.
”Mitchell Moses came in and did what an Origin halfback needs to do,” he said.
“He gave them leadership and confidence. I honestly believe that Mitchell Moses was the difference between game one and game two.”
Moses is expected to remain in the side for the decider given the uncertainty over Nathan Cleary and his recovery from a hamstring injury.
But long-term, Johns is excited to see the two champion No.7s go to battle.
”It means competition,” he said.
“Both those players in the off-season will be busting their backsides.
“Those two going at each other would be great – but I don’t know how they would go playing together, because they are both first-receivers and dominant playmakers.
“They will be working so hard to get in front of each other.”
The decider will take place on July 17 at Suncorp Stadium, with Cleary unlikely to be back at club level for the Panthers before the squad is selected.