Trent Hodkinson has raised concerns about the effectiveness of pairing Nathan Cleary with Mitchell Moses for the upcoming State of Origin series. The series opener is scheduled for May 27, and Cleary is expected to be the NSW halfback.
Hodkinson, who led NSW to a series win in 2014, expressed doubts regarding this combination. He noted that Moses has only played one Origin game alongside Cleary. Additionally, he highlighted that Cleary has struggled at the Origin level in previous years.
Key points from Hodkinson’s comments:
- Hodkinson believes two dominant halves can lead to struggles at Origin level.
- He stated, “I think it’s clear to say Nathan will be locked in at that seven.”
- Hodkinson mentioned that if Cleary can direct play effectively, it could work, but Luai has a strong combination with him.
Ethan Strange is also performing well in the Canberra side, which adds another layer to team selection decisions. The NSW team will be picked in two weeks, and players will need to demonstrate their form to secure a jersey.
The upcoming selection process is critical as it sets the stage for a competitive State of Origin series. Hodkinson’s insights reflect ongoing discussions about team dynamics and player combinations ahead of the matches.
