Live: Moses expected to be named for Origin II

ABC News

SportsABC News·Jun 8, 2026·12 min read

Live: Moses expected to be named for Origin II

NSW coach Laurie Daley is rolling the dice on the fitness of Mitchell Moses after recalling the Parramatta captain to his Blues side for game two of the State of Origin series.

Moses was named in Daley's squad on Monday despite having failed to play for the Eels since he was ruled out of the May 27 series opener in Sydney less than 48 hours before kick-off.

The Parramatta playmaker suffered a minor hamstring strain in the lead-up to game one and was replaced at five-eighth by Canberra's Ethan Strange.

Strange played a key role in the Blues' 22-20 victory but Moses's inclusion is expected to force the Canberra youngster to the bench for next Wednesday's clash at the MCG.

Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been called into the NSW squad as a reserve and will be on stand-by should Moses fail to prove his fitness.

Provided he encounters no further issues, Moses is likely to partner halfback Nathan Cleary as NSW look to clinch the series with a game to spare.

"If he finishes all his protocol for his hamstring, he'll be fine to play," said Eels coach Jason Ryles after his side's 14-12 loss to Canterbury on Monday.

"He didn't make it this week but had we been playing on Saturday or Sunday this week, I'm pretty confident he'd be playing for us."

Despite the Blues' struggling through the series opener until Kalyn Ponga's second-half send-off, Daley has resisted wholesale changes.

Daley released his team in alphabetical order on Monday evening and has brought just three fresh faces into his 20-man squad, with Origin rookie Katoa joined in the NSW set-up by Brisbane prop Payne Haas.

Broncos front-rower Haas will vie with Mitch Barnett and Addin Fonua-Blake for the two starting prop berths, with Newcastle's Jacob Saifiti dropping out of Daley's squad as a result of Haas's return.

Wests Tigers' Api Koroisau replaces injured Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey and is in line for his first Origin appearance since 2023.

Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has been named and got through Canterbury's 14-12 win over the Eels in the King's Birthday clash unscathed.

Crichton carried a shoulder injury into the game but it was his goal following a controversial penalty in the 76th minute that delivered the victory.

Eels hooker Tallyn Da Silva was penalised for a high tackle on Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton as the blue and whites pushed for an equaliser.

The tackle initially escaped the notice of referee Todd Smith but after Burton failed to rise to play the ball the Bunker intervened, Da Silva was penalised and placed on report before Crichton made no mistake with the long-range penalty.

ABC/AAP

Look back at the announcement in our live blog below.

Pinned

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 7:03pm

NEW SOUTH WALES SQUAD FOR ORIGIN II

Blues have thrown a curveball - they've named a squad rather than a team.

Mitch Barnett

Nathan Cleary

Stephen Crichton

Addin Fonua-Blake

Payne Haas

Isaiya Katoa

Tolu Koula

Api Koroisau

Dylan Lucas

Casey McLean

Mitchell Moses

Cameron Murray

Haumole Olakau'atu

Victor Radley

Reece Robson

Kotoni Staggs

Ethan Strange

James Tedesco

Brian To'o

Isaah Yeo

Hudson Young

Laurie Daley says the exact team will be confirmed by tomorrow due to a number of players needing to be passed fit to play.

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Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 7:39pm

Signing off

By Nick Campton

And that will do me - thanks for stopping by on what's been a big arvo of footy action.

Be sure to tune in again on Thursday, when we'll be live blogging all over again, and from tomorrow as we continue to bring all the best news and yarns from State of Origin camp.

Take it easy!

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 7:14pm

Expected Blues team for Origin II

By Nick Campton

Bear in mind this is yet to be confirmed - when Daley was talking about players dealing with injury he was mainly referring to Stephen Crichton, who is fresh off the field after playing for Canterbury this afternoon and has been carrying a shoulder injury, but this is what we can expect to see next Wednesday at the MCG.

1. James Tedesco

2. Brian To'o

3. Kotoni Staggs

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Tolu Koula

6. Mitchell Moses

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Payne Haas

9. Reece Robson

10. Addin Fonua-Blake/Mitch Barnett

11. Haumole Olakau'atu

12. Hudson Young

13. Isaah Yeo

14. Api Koroisau

15. Victor Radley

16. Cameron Murray

17. Addin Fonua-Blake/Mitch Barnett

18. Ethan Strange

19. Casey McLean

20. Dylan Lucas

21. Isaiya Katoa

No word yet on which prop starts or whether Lucas can force his way into the 19, as was speculated earlier today.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 7:09pm

Laurie Daley speaks on Origin II

By Nick Campton

Daley says he wants a better start than what New South Wales endured in Origin I.

"It was there for everyone to see, when we were at our best we don't look anything like that," Daley said.

"For us, we have to make sure we start better than what we did. I know that we will.

"Watching some of the football and when we did play the way we wanted to, we played well. That excited me, because we haven't played our best."

The big inclusion for the Blues is Payne Haas, who missed Origin I due to injury.

"Everyone's watched Payne over the last couple of years and seen how much he brings for the Broncos. His ability to play long minutes is quite remarkable," Daley said.

"He loves pulling on the NSW jersey, he loves being part of this environment."

Two potential debutants for the Blues in Dylan Lucas and Isaiya Katoa and the latter gets some attention from Daley.

"He's a player right now. He could step in and play in the halves for New South Wales, we're lucky to have him and he's got a big future," Daley said.

"I like what he brings to a footy team, he's got a great kicking game and his organisational skills are great. All the ingredients you need for a half."

Daley wants all the players dealing with injury to be ready to go by Thursday.

"Our first training session is on Wednesday and that's always been an educational day rather than a heavy session," Daley said.

"By the Thursday they need to be humming. You don't want to take in guys who are underdone.

"It's more about those guys having the week to prepare. It helps everyone if you have a nice preparation."

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 6:59pm

Match report: Bulldogs sneak home via controversial penalty

By Nick Campton

Stephen Crichton has kicked a late penalty goal to help Canterbury slow the Bulldogs' worrying run of NRL form with a 14-12 win over Parramatta.

Crichton struck from the tee in the 76th minute at Stadium Australia on Monday after Eels hooker Tallyn Da Silva was penalised for a questionable high shot on Matt Burton.

Burton laid down seeking treatment after Da Silva's contact and failed to finish the match as he was sent for a head injury assessment.

Crichton's penalty got the Dogs home after the first scoreless first half in the NRL in five years.

Cameron Ciraldo's side (5-8) climbed to 13th on the NRL ladder but the first half was a snapshot of Canterbury's season when they dominated possession and territory and outran the Eels by more than 230m.

Despite having 17 play-the-balls in the Eels' 20m zone in the opening 40 minutes, the Bulldogs' attack was blunt and directionless.

The Eels thought Josh Papalii had scored a try on the stroke of halftime, only for his effort to be called back for a knock on, resulting in the first scoreless first half since a 2021 meeting between the Eels and Canberra.

Sitili Tupouniua was held up early into the second half before finally crashing over for the game's opening try off a Lachlan Galvin shortball in the 49th minute.

Three minutes after Canterbury finally got on the board, captain Stephen Crichton helped his side double their lead.

Crichton climbed above Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi to claim a Galvin bomb to touch down.

But just when the Bulldogs thought they were beginning to pull away, the Eels hit back with a double salvo in back-to-back sets to send the game to the wire.

Winger Josh Addo-Carr made a burst down the left and grubbered in-field for Da Silva to slide in and the hooker was quickly followed over by Papalii after a midfield bust from Eels debutant Teancum Brown.

The Eels were hunting a third after Ronald Volkman forced a goal-line drop-out but Da Silva brought the halfback's work undone when he was penalised for an escort on Tupouniua — and then handed the Bulldogs the win.

Da Silva was placed on report by referee Todd Smith for a debatable high shot on Bulldogs five-eighth Burton and Crichton stepped up to slot the winning penalty from 40m out.

AAP

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 6:48pm

Team coming in ten minutes

By Nick Campton

Not long now, sit tight - we'll have the team as soon as it's named.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 6:37pm

Moses expected to be named

By Nick Campton

Word round the traps is Mitchell Moses is expected to be named at five-eighth for New South Wales after he missed Game I due to a hamstring injury.

Moses was ruled out of the first match of the series two days out and Ethan Strange was superb on debut in relief but Laurie Daley is set to stick solid with the Eels playmaker.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 6:01pm

Be sure to stick around

By Nick Campton

Don't go anywhere, there's still plenty to come.

We'll have all the news from the press conferences as well as live coverage of the New South Wales Origin team announcement, which should come through in about an hour.

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:55pm

Fulltime: Bulldogs 14 def Eels 12

By Nick Campton

Parramatta's last set ends with a bomb that Xerri takes and that will do us.

Canterbury escape with a very controversial win.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:53pm

78' Eels can't level up

By Nick Campton

Parra go short and get it back, can they find an equaliser or a winner?

They spread it left to Addo-Carr but there's no spce and he steps on the sideline. Only third tackle as well. Pressure got to them a bit there. Bulldogs ball.

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:52pm

76' Controversial penalty gives Bulldogs the lead

By Nick Campton

Burton gets clattered by da Silva, the Bulldogs five-eighth stays down and the Eels hooker is penalised and on report. Another very rough call against Parra, they have copped some shockers today.

Crichton will go for goal, 40 out, right in front. Burton has to go off for an HIA so his day is over.

Can Crichton nail it? It's a long way out.....but he makes it!

Canterbury take the lead 14-12.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:46pm

73' Contentious penalty burns Parra

By Nick Campton

Volkman puts a really nice kick around halfway, it gets Tracey out of position and as the fullback tries to get out of the in-goal he slips over!

Dogs go short, Iongi takes it but Tuponiua's hit the ground and the Eels are penalised. Parra will challenge but they don't get it.

Not much in it but correct to the letter of the law. Dogs penalty. They should get a shot at field goal at the end of this set.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:41pm

70' Dogs let a chance go begging

By Nick Campton

Burton cuts through, he has Tracey in support, the cover just drags him down ten out and on the last tackle Galvin goes to the line, fires it to Xerri but his attempted tap-on goes over the sideline!

Parra just hang on.

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:34pm

62' Eels get another as contest comes alive

By Nick Campton

Just like Canterbury did, Parramatta have gone back to back!

Walker goes short to Teancum Brown and the debutant strides into open pasture, he draws Tracey and has Papalii in support to score!

Da Silva converts and we're all locked up at 12-all!

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:31pm

61' Eels strike back through da Silva

By Nick Campton

Parra go down a narrow short side, Volkman and Russell combine to put Addo-Carr away, he kicks inside and it sits up for da Silva who scores.

Very nice try after Parramatta's best passage of the day. Da Silva converts his own try and it's 12-6 Canterbury.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:29pm

59' Dogs can't add another

By Nick Campton

Iongi drops a bomb - Crichton went up and seemed to be a disruptor but it's not called - and the Dogs have another set inside the 20.

Heyward goes for a kick but it beats the defenders over the dead ball line.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:26pm

57' Dogs hold the line

By Nick Campton

Volkman puts up a bomb, Tracey lets it bounce, it gets back to Volkman, he finds Walker who kicks to the other side of the field looking for Addo-Carr but he can't gather it in.

But the Eels retain the ball, Tuala knocked it on first. Can they score here and get back in the game?

They can't, in fact they get penalised in possession for Tuilagi raising his elbow into Curran. A rough call in my book.

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:17pm

51' Dogs have two in two minutes

By Nick Campton

After waiting so long for our first try the second comes in a matter of moments.

A strong set, highlighted by a Kiraz offload that put Burton away, is capped by a Tracey bomb that Crichton takes over Iongi and the Dogs skipper is over.

He converts his own try and in a matter of seconds it's 12-0 Bulldogs.

Key Event

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:14pm

49' Dogs break deadlock at last

By Nick Campton

Samrani knocks it on his own 20 and Canterbury have ANOTHER set. Surely they can crack the Eels this time?

A set restart helps them build pressure, Galvin goes for the short ball to the backrower that he favours so much and Tupouniua crashes over.

At last, we have our first try. Crichton converts and it's 6-0.

Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:07pm

43' Eels avoid disastrous start

By Nick Campton

Tupouniua looks to plunge over but Kautoga somehow manages to get his arm underneath the ball, what an effort from the Eels backrower!