Both Bulldogs gun Matt Burton and Eels star Mitchell Moses are being backed for NSW selection as Michael Maguire’s outfit desperately attempt to take the series to a decider.
The Maroons secured the first game of the series on Wednesday night, benefiting from a send off to Joseph Suaalii for an ugly hit on Reece Walsh.
Burton has previously played two games for his state in 2022, featuring in the centres and rugby league legend Gorden Tallis backed him for a re-call.
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“He’s got to be there, either six or three. His kicking game tonight, it can change the momentum,” Tallis said on NRL360.
“We saw NSW struggled at times to hit the spot, but a couple of those spiral bombs… the MCG, the wind might swirl around.
“He needs to be in the side.”
However, veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield believes he’s the perfect player to feature on the bench, similarly to Selwyn Cobbo’s selection on the Queensland pine.
“I think he should play 14 in that he can play in the halves, he can play centres, he can plat at lock forward if you really need him to,” Rothfield said.
“It gives us a Billy Slater bench, a little bit of manouverability there, he can’t get picked in the centres because I think Latrell has got to be there.”
The Australian’s Brent Read also added: “He’s your 14, he’s your utility on the bench, he’s perfect for the role”.
Meanwhile, Moses’ performance against the Bulldogs on Sunday was scrutinised, failing to ice the game after conceding a late matchwinning try.
For NRL360 host Braith Anasta, Moses will take the Blues’ No.7 jersey, but he needs to be more involved at the end of games.
“I want to see him more at the back-end when the game is on the line, that’s what happens in Origin right,” Anasta said.
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“That’s when the moment matters the most… we were talking before we came on, there was a set there where he didn’t touch the ball.
“He’s still in my side, but that’s worry.”
Rothfield also said: “I was disappointed in his game management at the back-end, but I had him in my side.
“I now want to see him against the Roosters next weekend and just make sure he has performed before I lock him in.”
Moses suffered a foot injury in Round 3 which saw him sidelined until Round 13, missing his chance to audition for the series opener.
Read was of the belief Moses would have been picked over Nicho Hynes had he taken the field in Round 12.
“For me he is in, he would have been in before the series began if he wasn’t injured,” Read said.