NSW have ruled Mitchell Moses out of Origin Game 1 with the leg injury sustained at Monday morning's training session on the Central Coast. Roosters utility Ethan Strange will debut at five-eighth alongside Nathan Cleary on Wednesday night, with Matt Burton joining the squad on the bench under NRL approval as the late inclusion. Laurie Daley confirmed the call at the Tuesday morning team-naming press conference. The Maroons are intact, with captain Cameron Munster on the field for the captain's run at Allianz Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, putting to rest the soreness watch from Sunday's Sunshine Coast session.
Moses Out, Strange In, Burton on the Bench
Moses' MRI returned a hamstring strain that will rule him out of Game 1 and is being graded for likely Game 2 availability. Daley said the call was made by 9am Tuesday after the scan results were reviewed by NSW medical staff. Strange, the 22-year-old Roosters utility named as a reserve in the original 20-man squad, is the natural promotion to five-eighth and will partner Cleary in the new halves combination. Burton, the 26-year-old Bulldogs five-eighth who was on standby all camp, takes the bench utility role with the NRL approving his addition outside the original squad. Daley declined to commit to a specific role for Burton beyond utility cover but confirmed the Bulldogs man could appear at six during the second half if needed. The Blues otherwise hold the Game 1 team named last Monday.
Munster Runs in Sydney, Maroons Confirm No Late Changes
Cameron Munster trained at the Allianz Stadium captain's run on Tuesday afternoon after sitting out Sunday's Sunshine Coast session with general soreness. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui called the soreness watch a non-issue at Sunday's media doorstop, telling reporters "Munny just leads from the front" and that the captain would play. Billy Slater confirmed Tuesday afternoon that no changes were planned to the named 17. Sam Walker keeps the No.7 jumper on debut at halfback. Kalyn Ponga at fullback. Munster at six. Robert Toia and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the centres. Selwyn Cobbo and Jojo Fifita on the wings. Thomas Flegler and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui props, Harry Grant hooker, Reuben Cotter and Kurt Capewell second row, Max Plath debut at lock. Bench Briton Nikora, Lindsay Collins, Pat Carrigan, Trent Loiero. The team trains again on Wednesday morning at the Olympic Stadium pitch ahead of the 8.05pm kick-off.
Where the Markets Land
Game 1 markets shifted on the Moses confirmation. The Blues' price drifted from the Monday $1.62 opener to $1.85 across our reviewed bookmakers dabble, Ladbrokes and Picklebet. Queensland firmed to $2.00. The line shifted from -3.5 NSW to -2.5. Strange's debut at six is the swing variable. The 22-year-old has been a Roosters mainstay through 2026, but the step from the Roosters playmaker role to the Origin five-eighth slot is the largest single ask of any debutant in this Game 1. The Wally Lewis Medal market has Munster shorten on the back of the soreness watch passing without incident, with Cleary still the Blues' favourite at the spine. Walker first-tryscorer is the Maroons' most-backed market for the night. Full final team-list coverage via ABC News.