"That sounds insane": Should Moses return as NSW's starting five-eighth?

Denan Kemp has discussed who should take up the No.6 jersey for New South Wales between Mitch Moses and Ethan Strange.

Following a breakout 2025, which saw the Raiders secure their first minor premiership in 35 years, Strange was named as the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year and earned a call-up to the Kangaroos squad for the Rugby League Ashes.

The 21-year-old’s form has continued into 2026, resulting in his first call-up to the NSW Blues' 20-man squad, having been named to the extended bench.

But with starting five-eighth Moses being ruled out of Origin I due to a hamstring strain, Strange was the man promoted to his position.

And the Raiders' five-eighth lived up to the occasion.

In his debut, the 21-year-old ran for 135 metres, which saw him break the line once, two-line break assists, whilst scoring a try of his own.

With his performance, there have been questions raised as to whether Strange should retain his spot as the starting five-eighth.

But as the former Broncos and Warriors winger explains, it would be insane for Laurie Daley to change their position given Strange is a natural five-eighth.  

“Let's get the caveats out of the way, Mitch Moses is a gun,” Kemp said on SEN’s Saturday League Kick Off.

“He may come in and kill it, and I'll not be surprised.

“But what I can't get is, let's flip the scenarios right now.

“Let's say Sam Walker played like he did on the weekend and Queensland won, and (Cam) Munster was coming back in and Munster took Sam Walker's spot at 7.

“That sounds insane, doesn't it? But that's what we're doing.

“Mitch Moses is playing out of position, taking (the spot of) a genuine 6, the current Dally M (Five-Eighth of the Year).”

Kemp also noted that the addition of Strange allows for his halves partner for NSW, Nathan Cleary, to focus on his duties as halfback.

“Yes, he (Moses) will relieve a little bit of pressure on Cleary?”

“But I am sick of hearing (that), ‘Oh, he can help Cleary run a game’.

“Help a four-time winning Premiership player run a team?  Cleary doesn't need help running the team.

“He needs a 6 that's gonna accentuate what he does. I just don't get this.”

New South Wales is hoping to reclaim the shield in Game II when they play Queensland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 17.

SEN will have THREE unique calls of the match with Maroons and Blues Radio alongside a neutral SEN League call across our radio network and on the SEN app.

Kick-off takes place at 8:05pm AEST.