Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Mitchell Moses says he has been in regular contact with Jarome Luai ahead of the premiership-winning playmaker’s arrival at Parramatta.
Moses will get the first chance to impress in the Australian No.7 jersey against New Zealand on Thursday after receiving what he described as an unexpected call-up to the squad. Moses is one of four halves chosen by Australia for the tournament, alongside Cameron Munster, Sam Walker and Tom Dearden.
The Eels halfback was an “Emu” (a non-playing member of the Kangaroos squad) that toured England last year. Nathan Cleary would have been an automatic selection for coach Kevin Walters, but an opportunity arose for Moses after Cleary suffered a double compound fracture of his leg in Penrith’s preliminary final loss to Newcastle.
“I thought that time had passed, so it’s a great feeling,” Moses said of his selection. “I just can’t wait to get out there [Thursday] night and represent the country.”
Asked why he thought he may not get another opportunity for the Kangaroos, Moses said: “Obviously, Nathan’s a fair player … I’ve had a fair bit to do with Nathan the last few years, so I really feel for him. But that’s just footy sometimes.”
The Eels have bolstered their squad with the additions of Tigers co-captain Luai, Dragons forward Jayden Su’a and Roosters prop Spencer Leniu.
“It’s a great get for us,” Moses said of four-time premiership winner Leniu.
“It’s really exciting, and I can’t wait to start the pre-season with him. We’ve got a few new recruits coming to the club, so it’s an exciting time at Parramatta.”
There’s every chance that Moses will play against Luai, the captain of Samoa, before they reunite at the Eels.
“That’d be fun,” Moses said. “He’s a quality player and he’s obviously another recruit that we’ve got next year. It’s exciting. We could be versing each other.”
Luai was spotted training at Parramatta’s Kellyville headquarters last month as part of his preparations for the World Cup.
“We speak a fair bit,” Moses said. “I had a fair bit to do with Jarome in the past with the Blues and things like that. He’s a quality player and I’m excited to have him on board with us next year. But my full focus here is for the Aussies here right now, and I’ll have to worry about that stuff when we come back.”
Moses said it would be beneficial for several of the Eels’ biggest names to bring their World Cup experiences back to club football.
“It shortens your pre-season a little bit, but any time you’re versing the best of the best here and you’re getting as much prep as possible, and then you flow into the pre-season, it’s good,” he said.
“You get a lot out of that, and then hopefully when we come back to pre-season, we’re ready to go.”
This masthead revealed Jack Bostock would be on the radar of St George Illawarra if he becomes a free agent on November 1.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Kangaroos debutant said he was flattered by the interest.
“It’s always nice to know clubs want you rather than don’t want you,” Bostock said. “But like I’ve said before, it’s not really my focus right now. We can resolve that after the World Cup finishes. My sole focus right now is just to be here with the Kangaroos.
“This is my first time, and I really want to impress these lads. I owe it to a lot of people, and I owe it to myself, to come out here and play good for the Kangaroos, so that’s my sole focus at the moment.”
Bostock came through the Illawarra Steelers system, but there did not appear to be a pathway to first grade for him at the Red V. Asked if it was a frustrating period of his career, the Dolphins star said: “Yes and no. Obviously, it’s a bit of a reality check. I know that clubs can’t keep everyone and people have their different ways.
“The coaches and recruitment staff back then at the Dragons wanted to go a different way, and that’s totally fine. So did I, to be honest. I really wanted to go to the Dolphins.
“When the Dolphins came knocking, and Wayne [Bennett] was there along with the leadership group they had with [Felise] Kafusi and the Bromwich boys, that was the path that my dad and I saw as best for me.”
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