A Blues official has fired back at suggestions Mitchell Moses’ calf injury came about because his training loads weren’t managed properly in NSW camp.
According to a News Corp, the Eels were upset with the Blues after Moses succumbed to the injury at NSW training last week.
As a result, Moses will now be sidelined for six weeks, which is a huge blow to both the Eels’ finals hopes as well as the Blues’ chances of winning the Origin decider in Sydney next month.
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The Eels notified the Blues that Moses had been carefully managed in recent times, the report said.
But he went down at training in Blues camp and was replaced in the team for game two by Jarome Luai.
Blues general manager Frank Ponissi said the claims were not accurate, adding the injury was “unpreventable”.
“We’re annoyed at suggestions Mitch did the injury because of a workload issue,” Ponissi told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“Mitch was one of the players who played on the Monday before coming into camp, he did nothing Tuesday, had a walk-through in his sneakers on Wednesday, then suffered a calf injury only 20 minutes into Thursday’s training session.
“It couldn’t have been a load issue because we had barely started training that day.
“Parramatta might be frustrated, but it was never a training load issue – and I support our performance staff and coaches.”
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Moses felt tightness in that same calf towards the end of game one in the Origin series.
Ponissi made reference to how well the NSW staff handled the injuries to winger Brian To’o (hamstring), halfback Nathan Cleary (groin) and prop Payne Haas (groin).
To’o scored three tries in the game in Perth and ran for over 200 metres, receiving the player’s player award for his efforts.
Cleary and Haas both suffered their injuries just two days prior to the game, and were guided by the Blues’ medical team in handling their injuries.
The pair assured the Blues they were right to play and were impressed with the NSW medical staff.
