'Best halfback in the game': Bragging rights on the line as rivals face off
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Superstar halfbacks Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses have opened up on their unique relationship as they prepare to go face to face in a CommBank Stadium blockbuster this weekend.
While many have speculated about a rivalry between the pair, the playmakers have developed a close relationship as representative teammates over the past few years.
Such is the respect between Cleary and Moses, each man doesn’t hesitate to heap praise on the other.
“I enjoy testing myself against the best and Mitch is the best halfback in the game at the moment,” Cleary told NRL.com. “That challenge makes it fun to go up against him.”
Moses smiles when told of Cleary’s comments and is quick to shift attention to his contemporary’s achievements on the football field.
“He’s being humble,” Moses said. “He’s been unreal. I had the joy of playing with him in Game One of Origin last year and loved my experience with him.
“I get along with players who love footy and put time into their game and that’s Nathan. That makes it really easy to get along with him, he’s a quality player and I’ve learnt a lot during the time I’ve been around him the last year.”
The pair will face off in the latest instalment of the Western Sydney derby when Penrith take on Parramatta at CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.
The Panthers have dismantled their opponents through an unbeaten start to the season, while the Eels are riding high after wins over Brisbane and St George Illawarra in the past two weeks.
Match: Panthers v Eels
Round 4 -
home Team
Panthers
2nd Position
away Team
Eels
9th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The battle between the No.7s will go a long way to determining the outcome of the match.
Moses and Cleary have dominated the NRL throughout the past few years and have long sat among the game’s elite playmakers.
Classic Moment: Clever Cleary secures a Grand Final win
Cleary led Penrith to four-straight premierships, produced one of the all-time grand final performances in 2023, has won three State of Origin series and led the Kangaroos to World Cup and Ashes glory.
Moses steered Parramatta to the 2022 decider, which they lost to the Panthers, and has starred in the representative arena. The halfback helped NSW pull off a miraculous victory over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium in the 2024 State of Origin decider before leading Australia to Pacific Championships glory later in the year.
Moses seals the deal
The Blues struggled to recover after Moses suffered a calf injury midway through last year’s Origin series and went on to lose the second and third games.
Despite external talk of rivalries, Cleary said Moses’ presence has played a key role in his elevation to greatness.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know Mitch as a person,” Cleary said. “I’ve always played him in the past and watched and admired him from afar. Now to spend a few [representative] camps with him and to get to play alongside him and train alongside him has been special.
“He’s an impressive person and his quality as a player speaks for itself. He’s been incredible the last few years and I’ve enjoyed getting to know him and seeing his training habits.
“He’s an absolute freak on the field and I’m looking forward to coming up against him while he’s playing for Parra and hopefully joining forces at some stage this year too.”
A successful partnership between Cleary and Moses during the State of Origin series will likely see the pair reunite during the World Cup at the end of the season.
Origin Audition: Mitchell Moses
The duo were in last year’s Ashes touring squad, however Cam Munster wore the No.6 jumper alongside Cleary for the three Tests.
Moses played for Lebanon at the last World Cup in 2022 but is eager to line up for the Kangaroos at this year’s tournament.
Before that, the playmaker is focused on leading the Eels back to the finals. The next step in that goal is a showdown with his close mate on Saturday night at CommBank Stadium.
“If I can learn a few things off him, I can only benefit,” Moses said. “He’s a quality player, he’s won multiple comps and been at the top of his game for a long time. Anytime we can link up and learn off each other is good for my game.”
