State of Origin 2026, NSW Blues, Game 2 squad, Laurie Daley, Mitch Moses

Moses given Blues fitness deadline as Katoa waits in wings

Author: Brad Walter NRL Senior Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 8 Jun 2026, 07:28 PM

Blues coach Laurie Daley will give Mitchell Moses and Casey McLean until Thursday to prove their fitness after naming a 21-man squad for Origin II at the MCG on June 17 in alphabetical order.

Daley has recalled Moses after he suffered a hamstring injury at training in the lead up to last month’s series opener, but Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa is also in the squad as cover.

Broncos prop Payne Haas returns and Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau replaces the injured Blayke Brailey in the other changes to the side which beat Queensland 22-20 in Origin I.

Moses hasn’t played since and missed Parramatta’s match against Canterbury on Monday, but he will take over the five-eighth role from Ethan Strange if passed fit.

With Katoa needing to return to the Dolphins for Friday night's match against Sydney Roosters if not required by the Blues, a final decision on Moses will need to be made by Thursday.

McLean is also under an injury cloud after hobbling from the field in Penrith’s defeat of Wests Tigers on Sunday with an ankle injury.

“Obviously, there's some guys that we need to report from. There has been a couple of guys that have been carrying some slight niggles and injuries that we need to be on top of, and we need to be sure that they can train,” Daley said.

“We're hoping by Tuesday, we'll have that team and we'll be ready to go.

“Our first training session is on Wednesday, and that's always been a sort of an educational day rather than a heavy session, so you'd want them to participate in that but certainly by the Thursday you'd need to be 100 per cent, because you don't want to be taking guys in that are underdone.”

With Moses succumbing to a hamstring injury on the eve of the series opener, Strange made his Origin debut at five-eighth and the 21-year-old Raiders playmaker was one of NSW's best.

If Moses is out, Strange will again partner Nathan Cleary at the scrumbase with Katoa - the Tonga halfback - on the bench.

"His best football is obviously in front of him but he's another leader at his club, and if he gets an opportunity, I'm sure that he won't let anyone down," Daley said.

The winning moment: Katoa

"I like what he brings to a footy team. He has a great kicking game, his organisational skill is great, he digs deep into the line and he's good communicator - all the ingredients you need from a half."

Asked if Katoa was a player of the future, Daley said: "I think he's a player of the right now. I think that he could step in and play in the halves for NSW. We're very lucky to have him".

Daley said he hoped to be able to announce his starting line-up and six-man bench on Tuesday but if everyone is cleared to play it is expected to be similar to the team chosen for Origin I.

Haas replaces Knights prop Jacob Saifiti, who did not get on the field as the Blues produced the biggest comeback in Origin history to win 22-20 after Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga was sent off.

"I think everyone's watched Payne over the last couple of years and seen how important he is to the Broncos," Daley said of Haas, who is expected to start with Addin Fonua-Blake or Mitch Barnett dropping to the bench.

"His ability for a big man to play long minutes is quite remarkable. Actually, I don't think I've seen a frontrower who moves as well as him and he loves pulling on the NSW jersey, he loves being a part of this environment."

Brailey shared the hooking duties with Reece Robson in Origin I and added spark when he came on in the second half but Koroisau has played four Origins.

Blues lock in squad for MCG showdown

"He's been in the Origin arena before, he's a leader at his club and is a very experienced, very dynamic dummy half who gets through plenty of work," Daley said of Koroisau.

"Brails was very good in Game One, coming off the bench but I think Api's experience will be invaluable for us."

The Blues will go into camp on the Central Coast before travelling to Melbourne in a bid to win the series, and have a meet and greet with local fans scheduled for 3.30pm Tuesday at Polytec Stadium, Gosford.

NSW Blues squad (alphabetical)