Not everyone believes the Penrith No.7 is a certainty to walk back into State of Origin.

Mitchell Moses and Jarome Luai have been handed an early challenge to start the 2025 season with reporter Brent Read suggesting they will be fighting for one NSW position with Nathan Cleary set for an Origin return. Moses produced his best ever representative performances last year having led NSW to a series victory under Michael Maguire.

He then backed-up his performances for Australia having led the team to a Pacific Championship title. Moses felt right at home in the representative arena, despite missing most of the season for the Eels due to injury.

However, it didn’t take long for questions to be asked about his long-term position in the team if Cleary returns. The Penrith No.7 is considered the best playmaker in the game, but has never stamped his authority on the Blues jersey.

Moses achieved what Cleary had not done last year and won an Origin decider. Luai partnered Moses and also produced his best game in the sky Blue jersey. And while it is way too early to lock down a candidate, Phil Rothfield and Brent Read have gone head-to-head over who will be selected.

Next year, all three will be playing halfback for their clubs and could be in a running battle with each other. And Phil Rothfield was quick to ask who would be the No.7. “We have Nathan Cleary who didn’t play this year vs Mitchell Moses who not only won Origin and played sensational, also played for the Kangaroos,” Rothfield posed on Triple M’s Footy Talk.

While Rothfield found the debate interesting, Read was blunt with his reply and didn’t even entertain the idea of Cleary missing out on selection if fit. “This is not a debate at all. Nathan Cleary will be seven,” he said.

The debate will be Mitchell Moses or Jarome Luai at six.” Rothfield said Daley had recently given Moses praise and suggested the coach is very loyal, which could work in Eels star’s favour.

Luai was one of NSW’s best last year as he lifted his game to silence his critics. However, Luai will be playing halfback at the Wests Tigers in 2025, which adds more intrigue to Laurie Daley’s decision.

Fans are undecided if Moses and Cleary could work together at No.6 and No.7 with new Blues coach Daley not speculating just yet over who is in the lead. One telling move Daley made is not including James Tedesco in his pre-season camp.

James Tedesco snubbed from NSW camp

While Tedesco did represent NSW in Game 1 last year, Maguire opted to drop the Roosters fullback for the remainder of the series. Tedesco lost his captaincy with Dylan Edwards coming in and producing two excellent games to cement his position as the No.1 fullback for the state.

However, Daley stunned fans when not including Tedesco in his pre-season meet and greet for the wider Blues squad last week. Reporter Michael Carayannis suggested he found it odd one of the best fullbacks in the game and the former captain was included in the wider squad.

“Interestingly, there was no James Tedesco. There was 20-odd players. Tyran Wishart was there…I don’t like forecasting Origin in February but I did find it interesting Tedesco wasn’t part of the camp,” Carayannis said on SEN Radio on Monday.

“I thought he produced arguably his best season in the last couple of years. He was outstanding for the Roosters. So much can happen…”

Daley has not ruled out including players from outside the wider squad, which leaves the door open for Tedesco to return. However, it appears Edwards will be favourite to once again wear the No.1 jersey after also starring for Australia after the NRL season.