Mitchell Moses has been handed an unexpected call-up to the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII, with the Parramatta Eels captain drafted in to face Papua New Guinea this weekend after a spate of late withdrawals.
Originally named in Australia’s Ashes touring squad for the upcoming series against England, Moses will now get an early run-out in Port Moresby after Brad Schneider and Nick Meaney were forced out of the side through injury.
The reshuffle gives the 30-year-old an immediate chance to press his case for the Kangaroos’ No.7 jersey, a role former dual-international Mat Rogers believes he should own ahead of Penrith’s four-time premiership winner, Nathan Cleary.
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Rogers backs Moses for Kangaroos start
“I like Mitch Moses as a halfback better than I like Nathan Cleary as a halfback,” Rogers said on SEN.
“I’m a huge Nathan Cleary fan, I’m not a Nathan Cleary hater by any stretch. Cleary has won four premierships; he is a freak and a gun, but I think Mitch Moses is a better player. [Moses] has a better kicking game, a better running game, a better passing game, and I just think he is the best player running around at the moment.”
Moses, who hasn’t featured since the NRL regular season ended five weeks ago, joins fellow Ashes-bound teammates Keaon Koloamatangi, Bradman Best and Ethan Strange for the PNG fixture.
Coach Kevin Walters confirmed he included extra playmakers to cover potential injuries during the upcoming England tour, giving Moses one more opportunity to remind selectors of his worth.