True Blues Cleary and Moses nurse injuries.
Westpac NSW Blues halves Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses, who both played in the 2023 State of Origin series, suffered injuries early in the season.
Moses is the more seriously injured of the two players, having fractured his left foot when leading the Parramatta Eels to a 28-24 comeback victory over Manly Warringah last Sunday.
According to parraeels.com.au, the 29-year-old halfback will require surgery and might be out of action for up to eight weeks.
Moses has appeared in three matches for the NSW Blues, making his debut in Game Three 2021.
Cleary, a two-time Clive Churchill Medal winner, injured his right hamstring in the 71st minute of last week’s 34-12 victory over the Brisbane Broncos.
He has 14 Origin appearances, but Penrith coach Ivan Cleary stated yesterday that he will return in Round Seven. Cleary would only miss two games because the Panthers have a bye in Round Six.
“It is an opportunity for others,” Cleary explained.
“It’s not too horrible, which is pleasing. He felt the same way last year before he accomplished it correctly.
“Because of his previous experience, we cut this one short a little earlier. “Hopefully, it will only be a few weeks.”
The Westpac NSW Blues team for Game One at Accor Stadium on Wednesday, June 5 will not be announced until after Round 12 of the NRL.
Brad Schneider, an off-season recruit and former Canberra Raiders No. 7, will make his Panthers debut tomorrow night (Thursday, March 28) against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.
Cleary is not the Panthers’ only roster alteration due to injury.
Mavrik Geyer will make his NRL debut after being nominated to the interchange bench yesterday to replace Scott Sorensen (knee).
Geyer is the son of Penrith icon and 1991 premiership winner Mark Geyer, and he played for Penrith’s winning Jersey Flegg Cup team in 2022, scoring a try against Newcastle in the 19-18 Grand Final.
The 23-year-old back rower has made 37 appearances in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, including all three games this season also scoring a try.
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