Mitchell Moses has a chance to match his grandmother and create his own iconic Origin moment

Mitchell Moses finally has the chance to match his grandmother, who has something he doesn’t – an iconic Origin moment. The most famous mother in Origin history, Barbara Elias ran onto the field following game one of the 1992 series to wipe blood from the head of her courageous son, Blues hooker Benny Elias. The Daily Telegraph can reveal the special bond between new Blues halfback Mitch Moses and his much-loved grandmother, Barbara, who is battling dementia. Barbara is under the daily care of Moses’ mum, Rhonda. Barbara lives in a specially designed granny flat behind Rhonda’s residence in Carlingford. Moses often visits his mum and dad, John, before popping behind to check on Barbara. While he wasn’t born when Barbara charged onto the field, Moses, 26, has often seen vision of the memorable Origin moment featuring his grandmother and uncle. Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now > Elias, a former Balmain and kangaroos star, describes his sister as an “angel” and also spoke of Moses’ close relationship with Barbara. “Mitch has a really special bond with his grandmother, he is over there visiting all the time,” Elias said. “When Mitch visits his mum and dad, he will also visit his grandmother out the back. “They share a very special love. He adores her. Mitch is very committed to his grandmother. They are very close. “Mitch saw the vision of his grandmother coming onto the field and wiping blood off his uncle when he was growing up. I wonder what he thought when he watched that? “Barbara is the jewel in the crown of our family. There’s no State of Origin for Mitch if it wasn’t for Barbara. “Barbara is the most famous mum – and most recognised woman – in State of Origin history. Everyone remembers her wiping blood off me. There’s no State of Origin lady who is more famous. “But Mum now has full dementia. She has for the past two to three years. My sister, Rhonda, Mitch’s mum, had devoted her life to looking after our most prized possession, our Mum, 24/7. “Rhonda is the most selfless person I know. She is very shy and bashful, she’s a superstar, a gift from God. She will hate me praising her but I want to recognise her wonderful nature. NRL rich Rhonda even built a place specially to cater for mum, a granny flat out the back of their place. “It was a special moment that night at the SFS which will last the rest of my life. She didn’t care about the result. She was just worried about her son’s health. “I’m not sure how she defied the security and five-foot fence that night. There’s only one person in the world who could have done that and it’s my mum. I had a cut from ear to ear, there was blood everywhere. I caught some of Mel Meninga’s studs.” Moses is one of 33 nephews and nieces. His father, John, is a Parramatta “fanatic”. Elias hopes Barbara may still realise Moses’ Origin achievement. “You never know, I can’t answer that. We hope so. We hope she knows what Mitchell has done,” Elias said. “I know Rhonda would have told her a million times in the past 24 hours. “My dad – Mitch’s grandfather, Norm, passed away last year which was very sad. I can just picture him looking down from heaven toasting Mitch with a glass of scotch in one hand and a cigar in the other.” The Eels playmaker edged out South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds for the NSW halfback spot and will enter NSW camp on Tuesday morning. Elias has no doubt Moses will handle the pressure and intensity of Origin football. “One-hundred per cent he will,” said Elias, who played 22 games for NSW between 1985 and 1994. “As a young kid, Origin was his dream, it was his destiny. He will be up to the task. “Mitch has earned the right to have his name in NSW history alongside the likes of Mortimer, Sterling and Johns. He is 26 years old and about to join teammates who are the best in the game – life can’t get much better.” NSW coach Brad Fittler added: “There are a few players at the moment who have come into the position but I felt having Mitch there and bringing Jack (Wighton) into five-eighth was the least disruptive. “I have coached Mitch before (with Lebanon, 2017 World Cup), I’ve seen him in action and what I saw was a quality player who was a great leader.”