Even before a masterclass over the long weekend, Blues coach Brad Fittler only had eyes for Mitchell Moses.
After Nathan Cleary was ruled out with a torn hamstring following Game I, Fittler could take his pick of the rugby league litter, with Game I debutant Nicho Hynes and Adam Reynolds also vying to replace the Penrith star for the must-win second game of the State of Origin series on June 21.
With two try assists and a line break in Parramatta's decisive 34-12 victory over the Bulldogs on Monday, Moses appeared to have nudged his rivals from the race and sealed a second Blues appearance.
But for Fittler, who coached Moses in Lebanon's 2017 World Cup tilt, the choice was always obvious. Only Moses could part the Maroon sea after earning his debut in similar circumstances.
"Last time Nathan didn't play, Mitchell took his position. So in my eyes, it was Mitchell's to lose," Fittler said.
"I've always had confidence in Mitchell but with player injuries we've still got to watch every game.
"It made us a lot more comfortable when we watched him yesterday go and control the game and play a big part in why they won."
Moses' second Origin appearance comes after he was also selected as Cleary's injury replacement in the third game of the 2021 series.
But a fractured back suffered in the opening 10 minutes stymied Moses and the Blues went on to lose to their rivals, having comprehensively beaten them in the first two games.
"Last time I played it was pretty much bite down on the mouthguard for 70 minutes and do my best. I didn't want to let anyone down," Moses said.
Though the game two decider has higher stakes than Moses' Origin debut, the halfback is excited to give it another shot.
"To come out here 1-0 down in the series at Suncorp, it's pretty exciting and it's a big test."
Moses said he was flattered to be considered second in line behind dual-premiership halfback Nathan Cleary and called him "one of the best players in the last four years".
Moses felt for his long-term NRL rival after he was rubbed out of the second game.
"He's copped a fair bit of criticism after game one. As a rugby league player and as an athlete you want to prove the critics wrong. And he doesn't get to do that. It's pretty sad to see."
But Moses said he wouldn't let the title go to his head.
"It's not an ego boost. I've just got to go out there and do my job."
© AAP 2023