‘Moses belongs here’: Alexander backs halfback as Murray winning fitness race

Cameron Murray has cleared another hurdle in his race to be fit for NSW’s must-win State of Origin clash in Brisbane as Greg Alexander insisted Mitchell Moses believes he belongs in Blues colours.

Just days after his South Sydney teammate Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out with a calf injury, Murray moved freely in a crucial NSW session at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday.

The Rabbitohs captain had been troubled by a groin problem and missed the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Dragons last week, forcing him to be on restricted duties at the start of NSW’s camp.

But Murray is firming to take his spot on the Blues’ bench at Suncorp Stadium, set to vindicate Fittler’s faith in selecting the back-rower despite being under an injury cloud.

“It looks good,” NSW adviser Greg Alexander said. “He did a fair bit of team training on Friday. We’ll make sure he’s good, but he’s confident and the physios think he will be ready.”

Asked whether he had any doubt Murray would play, Tom Trbojevic said: “He’ll be out there. He’s really good. He trained well on Friday and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him.”

Murray’s Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi had been brought into the squad as 19th man to shadow Murray throughout the week.

Alexander said there had been “no hiccups yet” with forward Liam Martin, who is progressing through concussion protocols and will end his 11-day stand-down period on the day of game two.

And he was more forthright on Moses’ contribution to NSW training during the week, claiming the Eels halfback was ready to produce a performance which vindicates his selection.

“He’s very good,” Alexander said. “He’s confident. He believes that he belongs. He’s had a great year so he’s ready to go. Both [Moses and Jarome Luai] will control certain aspects of the game. They’ve both trained well.”

The Blues are aiming to send the series to a decider in Sydney and angling for just their second win in Brisbane under Fittler during his six-year Origin reign.

Alexander wouldn’t confirm whether debutant Reece Robson would start the match in place of the recalled Damien Cook, with the Blues opting for a two-hooker policy after Api Koroisau broke his jaw in the last round of matches before selection for game two.

Fittler said earlier in the week there would be a chance Robson could be elevated to the starting side, allowing Cook to utilise his speed out of dummy-half against tiring forwards later in the match.

“[Fittler’s] the coach,” Alexander said. “He’ll make those decisions.”

The NSW squad will travel to Brisbane on Monday and have their final session at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday.

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