"He knows what he's doing": Daley bullish on Blues' forced change to halves

Jarred Cross Published June 13, 2025 at 12.00am (AWST)

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Jarome Luai has been called in to Blues camp to play five eighth as replacement for Mitch Moses, who injured his calf at training. Image: Darren England (AAP).

NSW coach Laurie Daley expects a reunited premiership-winning halves pairing will bring something different to his side for game two, as Jarome Luai is called in to replace an injured Mitch Moses at five-eighth.

Luai got the call from Daley on Thursday, after Moses pulled up with a calf concern during Blues training on Thursday.

The Samoan international played in all three games of last year's series in the no.6 jumper, pairing with Nicho Hynes for the opener, and alongside Moses in NSW's comeback to take back the shield.

Next Wednesday in Perth will be a rekindling of the competition's previous star duo - one which ended with Penrith's fourth consecutive grand final win last year, when Luai left Cleary to join Wests Tigers.

"He's won four grand finals, and he won the Origin series last year, so I think everyone would have a lot of confidence and a lot of faith in him," Daley told reporters on Thursday, later declaring the shift will be "no distraction" nor cause any drama to their preparations with a series on the line.

"So there'll only be a couple of training sessions (in Blues camp for Luai), but the fact that he's played with that left edge last year is an advantage for us as well…(I'm) disappointed for Mitch, but excited for Jarome."

Matt Burton will remain at 18th man despite the late change, something Daley said provides the side with more versatility options, and Luai and Cleary's pairing will bring "energy and a synergy" and new style of game into the squad.

New South Wales were granted the exemption for the late change after naming their 20-man squad earlier this week.

The Blues will be hopeful of wrapping the series in Perth after getting over Queensland in Suncorp in game one a fortnight ago.

Maroons coach Billy Slater moved to make his own changes in the halves, dropping long-time skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and promoting Tom Dearden as replacement in the starting side.

Speaking earlier this week, Daley said he expects NSW to "have our hands full" containing the Maroons' new-look pair.

*Daley (right) is confident Jarome Luai's late addition to the Blues squad will cause little interruptions to their preparations for game three. (Image: Dean Lewins/AAP)*

Ezra Mam has been named as 18th man as Queensland's halves cover.

Daley is happy to embrace the challenge he's been dealt.

"I'd be disappointed if we lost a guy six days out, and we couldn't cope with that. I think the guys are very professional. It's not like we're bringing in a rookie. We're bringing in a guy that's won an Origin series before, won four grand finals, so he knows what he's doing," he said on Thursday.