Parramatta Eels half back Mitchell Moses was one of 38 players selected to take part in the 2018 Emerging Blues camp held at ANZ Stadium over the weekend.
The squad, assembled by NSW Head Coach Brad Fittler met for the first time for a training session with NSW True Blue Origin legends including Fittler, Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Mark O’Meley, Anthony Minichiello, Matt King and Craig Fitzgibbon ahead of the 2018 season.
“It’s pretty special to be among the names of all theses others players coming through the ranks.” Moses told NSWRL.com.au during the camp.
“I’m definitely very excited about it. Also to be learning off some former Origin greats that have come out here today to help us out, I’ll definitely be taking a lot in.”
Moses made his first appearance in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with Lebanon, progressing through the competition to the Quarter Finals under the coaching of Fittler.
“I definitely took a lot in. I went in there open minded, just hoping to get through the World Cup injury free.” Moses said of his World Cup campaign.
“Once you got into the camp, Freddy brought everyone together very well and it definitely meant a lot more to me once I got into the camp and met all the boys and things like that.”
“He was very good at that, bringing everyone together, that was the biggest thing I took out of it,” he added.
The squad, comprised of players potentially destined for higher honours and State of Origin representation were looking to make the most of the camp.
Fellow Blue & Gold teammates Bevan French, Tepai Moeroa and young Blue & Gold hooker Kyle Schneider were also selected.
“One hundred precent it’s always been the dream, it’s definitely big to be mentioned here.” Moses said.
“I’ll be taking a lot out of this today but I’m not going to look too far ahead. I’m going to worry about my footy that I’ve got to play at Parramatta first and all this will sort itself out.”
“Nathan Cleary and Angus Crichton (the two names you mentioned) are two big candidates that can really push a claim for Origin next year,” Moses added.
“They are classy players and it’s definitely a big thing for me to be mentioned in the same sentence as them. I’ll be taking a lot out of this camp.”
To watch the interview with NSWRL.com.au, click here.