NRL News: Eels get early glimpse of Moses-Lomax combo, Manly must defy Origin history with ragtag team

06/19/2024 05:49 PM

Zac Lomax can’t help but chuckle at the serendipity of linking up with soon-to-be Parramatta teammate Mitch Moses during NSW’s State of Origin tilt.

Lomax’s request for a release from his junior club St George Illawarra was one of the big talking points to begin the NRL season, coming amid career-best form on his move to the wing.

In the weeks after signing with the Eels for 2025, Lomax earned his first NSW cap, having long been touted as a player with Origin potential.

After shining on debut in NSW’s game-one loss, Lomax has been given a golden chance to test his chemistry with Parramatta’s most important player Moses, who was called in to replace Nicho Hynes for Origin II.

The Parramatta faithful and club powerbrokers will watch on for an early preview of a right-edge combination with the potential to add spark to an Eels side currently languishing in 15th place.

“I guess it’s a little bit ironic isn’t it?” a smiling Lomax said to AAP.

It will be music to the Eels’ ears that Moses and Lomax are getting on famously in camp, having never played together before.

“Mitchy’s obviously a great fella,” Lomax said. “I love chatting to him, he’s just a good dude. 

“He’s a guy you want to be around. He’s a competitor too, he wears his heart on his sleeve on the field.

“His kicking game’s unbelievable, he’s probably got the best kicking game in the comp. We (NSW) will obviously lean on that a lot.”

Ben Hunt’s kicks for the tall and athletic Lomax have been a regular source of points for the resurgent Dragons this season.

Blues captain Jake Trbojevic said Moses and Lomax would be keen to forge a similar combination ahead of the clash at the MCG, where NSW will fight to keep the series alive on June 26.

“(Moses) obviously brings a great kicking game, lots of experience, so that’s really good,” the prop said.

“Zac had a great game in the first game, I love the way he just competes on everything. 

“With Mitch, one of his strengths is his kicking game and Zac’s is in the air so that’s obviously something they’ll keep working on.”

Manly face up to woeful Origin record

With a rag-tag bunch of fringe NRL players and rookies, Manly have their sights set on ending a horrific State of Origin-impacted record and further enhancing their top-eight credentials.

All season long, Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has challenged his players to break away from a “cluster” of teams lingering in and around the top eight.

There has been arguably no bigger test of his side’s ability to do that than the one coming on Saturday, when Manly face South Sydney missing a dozen first-grade regulars.

While injury and suspension mean Tom Trbojevic, Josh Aloiai and Taniela Paseka won’t take the field at Accor Stadium, the Sea Eagles will also be without Jake Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and Haumole Olakau’atu due to Origin duties.

Eighth-placed Manly boast one of the worst records in Origin-affected rounds.

Since 2016, the Sea Eagles have won just one of eight games when players have been away on representative duty for their state, with fill-in co-captain Luke Brooks keen to reverse that ugly trend.

“It’s a big game, because there’s so many teams from about fifth to 13th and there’s only a point or two between them,” Brooks told AAP.

“Every game is so important and, going into a bye, to get that win and bank the two points would be nice.

“It’s a massive game and a big opportunity for us.”

Manly will hand out three club debuts, with Aaron Schoupp named at centre and forwards Aitasi James and Caleb Navale on the interchange.

“(Navale) has been playing some good footy in reserve grade and he’ll add a lot to our side,” Brooks said.

To defeat Souths, Manly are eager to summon the same grit and determination that helped them conjure a 30-14 win over St George Illawarra last Sunday with just 14 fit players.

“That was a really gutsy effort from the boys, and towards the end we had 13 blokes and Corey Waddell, who was running on one leg,” centre Tolu Koula said.

“We showed real heart to get that win.

“We’ve got a pretty young squad with a few fresh faces, but we’re confident that we have the ability to go out there and get the job done.”

with AAP