'Would be too clunky': Phil Gould shuts down NSW halves 'theory' after Mitchell Moses return

Phil Gould has shut down the suggestion of Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses playing together in State of Origin, urging selectors to only pick one of them.

Moses returned last weekend for the Eels and hit the ground running, orchestrating a vital win for the struggling side against the Wests Tigers.

The 30-year-old had been sidelined for the opening six rounds due to a foot injury, but looks to be back at full fitness at the right time for Parramatta.

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Quizzed on whether or not he is the most influential player in the game, Gould didn't shy away from his praise of the incumbent NSW Blues halfback.

"Absolutely," he said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus.

"Things change remarkably when Mitchell Moses gets back. You just can't take your Origin-class leader and playmaker out of a team and not suffer the consequences.

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"Parramatta have had plenty of effort in their games, but their football hasn't been great and Mitchell Moses solves so many issues for them.

"He was absolutely extraordinary. Mitchell is now one of the elite halves in our game."

His comeback has now led to increased debate around who will wear the No.7 jumper for the Blues when the Origin series kicks off in just over a month's time.

Moses helped steer NSW to a 2-1 victory last year against the Maroons alongside Jarome Luai, but was only afforded the opportunity due to Cleary being sidelined.

Cleary has enjoyed a mixed start to the 2025 season with Penrith, but his record at both club and rep level speaks for itself, winning four-straight titles and multiple Origin series'.

While there has been a push for Cleary and Moses to link up as the halves combination, Gould believes it should be Luai at five-eighth and a decision made for the other spot.

"It's gonna put a lot of pressure on the NSW selectors going forward," he said.

"There is a line of thinking as to whether or not Cleary and Moses could play together in the halves, which means one of them would have to sacrifice and play five-eighth.

"But I think it's either Cleary and Luai or it's Moses and Luai, which is a big call to make.

"I don't attest to the theory that you can play them both - that would be too clunky."

The series will kick off on May 28, with the team to be selected at the end of round 11.