NSW coach Laurie Daley has given his strongest indication yet that Latrell Mitchell is on track to return to the Origin arena, declaring: “If Latrell is fit, he’s going to be hard to leave out.”
Mitchell was the star for South Sydney on Friday night when he nailed a 49-metre two-point field goal against the Broncos, scored a try and came up with two stunning try-saving tackles, on Broncos giant Payne Haas and flyer Deine Mariner.
Souths and former Queensland coach Wayne Bennett was bemused by suggestions Mitchell was not a certainty to play for the Blues, saying: “I can tell you everyone in Queensland will be happy if he doesn’t play for NSW.”
Mitchell is a front-runner for the left centre spot when the Origin series kicks off at Suncorp Stadium on May 28. Canterbury’s Stephen Crichton looms as the favourite for right centre, but Daley also has Manly’s Tom Trbojevic and Newcastle’s Bradman Best as options.
“Watching Friday night, you just know Latrell is built for moments, and when big moments roll around, he wants the ball in his hands,” Daley said on Saturday.
“That’s the style of player he is. He’ll always be that bloke who wants to take the shot, or own the moment. That’s what makes him so good.
Back in blue: Latrell Mitchell is all but certain to return for NSW.Credit: Getty Images
“You could tell from his first carry against the Broncos that he was up for a game. He was great. That’s exactly what you want from $1 million players. They win you games – that’s why they’re paid good money.”
Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh made a cameo at South Sydney training on Tuesday after being invited by Bennett, and said that while most of his time was spent catching up with the coach, it was easy to see what kind of impact Mitchell had on the playing group. Waugh was a Wests Magpies fan, then followed Canterbury, and has since befriended Bennett and Broncos coach Michael Maguire.
“It’s obvious when he’s on, the team knows they can beat anyone,” Waugh said.
“Rarely in sport do you get people with X-factor. When you’ve got them, they’re pretty precious to have because they can turn a game and win a game when no one else can – they can do things no one else can do.
Latrell Mitchell’s 49-metre field goal against the Broncos.Credit: Nine
“You saw that with the field goal [on Friday night]. Not many people can pull that off. They can do those freakish things, which lifts players around them – they know in tough situations that someone can do something pretty special and win a game from nowhere.
“We all know Wayne Bennett is a genius, [but] so is Latrell, and when they combine, you’re a chance of winning.”
Mitchell did not play for NSW in 2022 and 2023 due to injury and was overlooked for game one last year before being drafted in for game two, producing a blinder in the Blues’ 38-18 win in Melbourne to level the series. He missed the game-three victory in Brisbane due to another injury.
Mitchell’s long-range drop goal against Brisbane showcased another facet of his game the other contenders can’t offer.
Daley will decide this week whether to name his first NSW team next Sunday night or delay the announcement until Monday, given Mitchell and Souths do not play Wests Tigers until 6.15pm.
At least four players set to feature in that clash are in the Blues mix: Mitchell, Souths’ Campbell Graham, and Tigers duo Terrell May and Jarome Luai.
Daley spent Saturday in Canberra taking in the sold-out, top-of-the-table clash between his beloved Raiders and Canterbury. One of his best friends is Bulldogs chairman Adam Driussi, and the pair drove to the nation’s capital together.
Meanwhile, Broncos playmaker and Queensland regular Ben Hunt broke down with a hamstring injury on Friday night, which will leave Maroons coach Billy Slater searching for a new utility.
Hunt’s involvement was even more important this year given regular dummy-half Harry Grant has been battling a hamstring injury of his own, and his absence looms as a major blow for the Maroons.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
