Clint Gutherson backs Mitch Moses to grow from Origin debut

Brendan Bradford

Clint Gutherson backs Mitch Moses to grow from Origin debut image

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson is backing Mitch Moses to return to the Eels an even better player after making his State of Origin debut for New South Wales last week. 

Moses recevied mixed reviews for his first game in a blue jersey, after Brad Fittler's side went down 20-18 on the Gold Coast. 

Eels legend Peter Sterling hit back at some of the criticism over the weekend, with Gutherson also defending the 26-year-old halfback. 

“It’s rugby league, everyone’s been through that side of social media,” Gutherson said on Monday.

“It’s just the way it goes. I thought Mitch had a great game. I thought defensively he was outstanding.

“It’s always hard to go into Queensland, stamping your authority straight away in a new team and stepping up to that level.

“I thought Mitch was great.”

Gutherson, who made his own Origin debut last year, said Moses and front-rower Junior Paulo will both be better for the rep experience. 

“Whenever someone goes to that level, you find that extra confidence to realise you are that good a player,” he said.  

“Mitchell’s been knocking on the door for a number of years, and finally got his crack.

“Obviously it didn’t go the way New South Wales thought it would go but that’s footy.

“To go into a game like that in Queensland was always going to be hard, but as I said, I thought he was great and did what he needed to do.

“Just unlucky it didn’t go our way on the night, but we secured the series and that’s all that matters.

"We always see it - players going into that arena and come back to their club and they’re the best players at their club for the rest of the year.

"That’s what we need Mitch and Junior to do. They were great for their state and we need them to be great again."

News broke on Sunday night that the Eels are potentially interested in signing unwanted Broncos playmaker Anthony Milford for the rest of the season.

Gutherson said he only saw the rumours on Instagram, but didn't have any more information around the possible signing. 

"I’m not too sure what’s going on there, no one’s spoken about it to me," he said. 

"We’re away from the club, we’re in the bubble. He’s a great player and he’s been doing it for a long time, but not too sure what’s going on there.

"He’s a quality player, he’s done it at the highest level since he was at Canberra.

"He definitely has that x-factor, but I haven’t spoken to anyone about it."

 

Brendan Bradford