Jason Ryles has expressed his confidence in Mitchell Moses, stating that the Parramatta halfback is ready to step up in any position necessary if he secures a spot in the NSW Blues squad for the upcoming State of Origin opener.
Recent discussions have seen fervent debate around the composition of the halves, with Moses vying for a position against Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Although the 30-year-old is a starting player alongside Luai, he has been limited to just two appearances this season due to a foot injury.
Mitchell Moses. Getty
In contrast, Cleary missed out on last year’s series victory due to injury, which granted Moses the opportunity to showcase his abilities on a grand scale.
During a media session on Wednesday, Ryles was asked whether Moses would be willing to shift to five-eighth to make way for Cleary’s return.
His answer indicated Moses’s flexibility and commitment.
“I believe Mitchell would gladly play in whatever position they assign him,” Ryles remarked.
“It means a great deal to him, so I don’t foresee that being a problem if he were selected.
“If I were in charge of selecting the Parramatta team, he’d be my seven—that’s as far as I’ll go.”
Jason Ryles addresses the media. Nine
“There’s plenty of pressure and coverage surrounding Origin, and having been a player myself, I understand it deeply.”
“We recognise the impact Mitch has on our team—his presence boosts players’ confidence tremendously. He sets high standards, organises effectively, and has a solid kicking game. He’s certainly vital to our club.
“Every day, he is continually striving for improvement.”
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Moses played a key role in Parramatta’s victory over the Wests Tigers last month, though a subsequent bye and a narrow defeat to the Sharks have left the Eels at the bottom of the NRL standings.
Another player from Parramatta currently vying for a position in the NSW team is Zac Lomax, who has been sidelined since April 5 due to a broken foot.
Ryles mentioned that the club is optimistic about Lomax’s recovery before Laurie Daley announces his squad following round 11, but emphasised they wouldn’t rush him back just for the sake of Origin.
Zac Lomax during last year’s Origin camp. Getty
“That’s not even in my consideration,” the former NSW hardman stated.
“From my experience, if you focus on your own game, Origin will take care of itself.
“He’s doing quite well; we’re actually holding him back a bit. We’re aiming for him to return next week, but it will depend on his daily progress.
“He’s a lot like Mitchell during his foot injury; we need to ensure they don’t rush back into training and follow the rehab process correctly.”
Parramatta is scheduled to host the Dolphins this Thursday night at CommBank Stadium.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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