Blues halfback Mitchell Moses has declared that he owes his Origin jersey to interim Eels mentor Trent Barrett and urged incoming coach Jason Ryles to retain him in a coaching role next season.
Moses arrived in the Blues camp on Monday just hours after learning that Ryles had been appointed as Parramatta coach for the next four years and said he was pleased to know who he would be playing under from next season.
However, the man-of-the-match in NSW’s 38-18 triumph against Queensland in Origin II at the MCG went out of his way to sing the praises of Barrett, who has been interim coach since Brad Arthur’s sacking in May.
While critics point to Barrett’s record in charge of Manly, Canterbury and Parramatta, he is highly regarded by the likes of the Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Daly Cherry-Evans and the Trbojevic brothers, Jake and Tom.
“I think with the cards that Baz has been dealt since coming in, and the job that he’s done for us, all the boys love him, and we’ve all got the utmost respect for him,” Moses said.
“I know personally with my game, he’s been massive for me and to even be in this arena I’ve got to thank him a lot for that, so hopefully he stays on.”
Moses was called into the NSW team for Origin II just three weeks after returning from a broken foot and laid on four tries in a performance Immortal and former Blues halfback great Andrew Johns labelled as the best of his career.
Moses’ triumphant return
The Lebanon international said advice from Barrett, who played 11 Origins as NSW halfback or five-eighth between 1997 and 2010, had helped him prepare for the occasion and he would again consult him before next week’s series decider.
“I speak to him all the time and not just this series, but last series as well,” Moses said. “He’s been full of advice and he’s been there, done that, so he knows how to handle it, and he has helped me out wherever I needed help and guidance.
“He’s helped me so much in the last few years with my game and how to play in the halves, and control games, and things like that.
“Obviously we haven’t been getting the results as a team, but personally, for my game, I probably wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him in the last few years, so I’ve got to thank him a lot for that.”
Player of the Match: Mitchell Moses
Ryles, who will take charge of the Eels from next season, played alongside Barrett for seven seasons at St George Illawarra, as well as at Test and Origin level.
He is currently on the coaching staff at the Storm, where he transitioned into coaching at the end of his playing career and has also had stints with Sydney Roosters and the England rugby union team.
“I think Baz has done a great jo with the cards he’s been dealt, he’s come in, turned up every day to work and done his best for us,” Moses said.
“We’ve probably let him down as players, to be honest. It hasn’t affected us knowing who the coach is, it’s just probably as a playing group we haven’t probably been up to scratch, but it’s all sorted now, so we can move on.
“It’s obviously good to know that the club sorted that out and we can move forward and sort out next year, and for years to come,” Moses said.
“It’s exciting, I’ve heard great things about Rylsie so I’ll speak to him in the next few days and see what happens.”
Moses will be joined at the Eels next year by NSW winger Zac Lomax, who coincidentally could have been playing under Ryles this season if he had accepted the opportunity to return to the Dragons as coach.
Zac Lomax outstanding again in blue
Parramatta fans were offered an insight into what to expect next season when Lomax outleapt Maroons winger Xavier Coates to snatch a cross-field kick from Moses and score a spectacular try at the MCG.
“He’s been playing some great footy, and I think with all the headlines that have been around him from the start of the year to now, he had every right just to throw it away and not perform but he’s been our best players so it’s a credit to him,” Moses said.
“He’s put himself in this arena and that’s because of the footy that he’s been playing at the Dragons week in, week out. He’s been their best player, and he’s continued to do that. Hopefully he continues to do that next year for the Eels.”