Origin Shake-ups, Aggro Halfbacks, and an Ivan-Gus Mic Drop

The rugby league landscape has been rocked by significant State of Origin news, and the latest episode of Kenty Blitz didn't hold back on the implications. From forced team changes to the "aggro" required at the elite level, hosts Kenty and Woz dissected a week that could define the 2025 series.

The Moses Blow and the Luai Solution

The biggest news of the week remains the loss of Mitchell Moses for New South Wales. While it’s a devastating blow for the Parramatta half personally, our hosts believe the Blues have a ready-made solution that ensures the transition is "seamless."

"I really feel for Mitch Moses," Kenty noted, acknowledging that the halfback had finally reached a "generational elite" level. However, the return of Jerome Luai offers a unique advantage. "Lui comes into the team, who's just spent nearly all of his first-grade career playing along Nathan Cleary. He’s won four Premierships playing alongside him. You really don't lose much."

The discussion also touched on the kicking game, noting that while Moses’s long boot is missed, having a right-foot/left-foot combination with Cleary and Luai provides its own tactical benefits.

DCE, Aggression, and the "Rat" in the Ranks

One of the more controversial talking points involved Queensland legend Daly Cherry-Evans. Darren Lockyer’s comments that DCE was axed for not being "aggro enough" sparked a deep dive into what leadership looks like in the Origin arena.

"I like that," Kenty said of the "aggro" assessment. "You don't want Daly snarling and spitting, but you want him to be aggressive with the ball. You want him to be an aggressive threat in attack. Tom Dearden will do that; he's a much better ball runner at halfback."

The Maroons' camp is also reportedly dealing with internal leaks, with "a rat in the ranks" allegedly revealing tactical secrets. "If it's not true, it'll wind Queensland up because they'll say this bloke's lying. If it is true, it further demoralises them because they'll wonder who the hell is talking."

Breaking the Silence on Warriors and Mainstream Media

The episode also addressed fan questions, specifically regarding the "boring" but successful Warriors and the freedom of independent broadcasting.

"The Warriors are playing it perfectly," the show observed. "They’re a boring team in the best way possible. There are no mugs doing stuff that makes you go 'What’s happened here?' They’re just doing their jobs, winning games without fuss."

Reflecting on life after NRL 360, Kenty highlighted the importance of editorial independence. "The best thing is I can follow my own conscience. I don't have a company directive or a financial directive. I can just say what I think is right, rather than someone telling me to 'fix it up' because a CEO complained."

The Ivan Cleary-Gus Gould "Mic Drop"

The show ended with a fascinating insight into the historical rift between Ivan Cleary and Phil Gould. When asked why Ivan returned to Penrith after being "punted" by Gus years earlier, a revealing conversation came to light.

"He had a conversation with someone who asked 'Why would you go back there?' and he said 'Because I've got unfinished business there and, on the way through, I’m going to net Gus'."

As the Blues prepare for their next clash and the club round approaches, the Kenty Blitz team continues to pull back the curtain on the game's biggest stories with the honesty fans have come to expect.

Catch the full episode on Fanatics TV.