- Latrell Mitchell was scintillating against Broncos
- Won the game with an epic two-point field goal
- Performance should seal his spot for NSW Blues
- Series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28
Latrell Mitchell may as well be pencilled into Laurie Daley’s NSW Blues team ahead of the State of Origin series opener on May 28 following a masterful performance on Friday night against the Broncos.
Mitchell, 27, virtually beat Brisbane by himself at Accor Stadium after first denying Deine Mariner a certain try with a brilliant cover tackle, before thumping a two-point field goal with the game on the line from 49 metres.
Just for good measure, the Rabbitohs superstar then scored a four-pointer on the siren to seal a remarkable 22-14 victory.
Speaking post game, South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett stated that is ‘what Latrell can do’.
‘That’s what makes him such a special player,’ he said.
‘(As a Queenslander and Souths coach) I hope they (NSW selectors) don’t (pick him).
‘He’s such a threat. They (the Maroons) will all sleep better if he’s not playing.’
In stark contrast, Broncos coach Michael Maguire was seething at his team clocking off in the second half.
Latrell Mitchell may as well be pencilled into Laurie Daley’s NSW Blues team ahead of the Origin series opener following a masterful performance on Friday against the Broncos
Mitchell virtually beat Brisbane by himself after first denying Deine Mariner a certain try with a brilliant cover tackle, before thumping a clutch two-point field goal from 49 metres
Many footy fans will be stunned if NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley overlooks Latrell Mitchell for game one against Queensland on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium
‘We are chasing 80-minute games every week. We’ve seen signs but we’ve also seen the other,’ he said.
‘As a team they’ve got to learn how to do that or we’ll keep bumbling the same way we have been. ‘It’s not good enough. Simple as that.’
The defeat was also compounded by a hamstring injury to Ben Hunt late in the second half.
Scans will determine if the veteran remains a selection chance for Billy Slater’s Maroons.
Maguire was also-tipped light when asked if Hunt’s injury would see Ezra Mam considered for a return to first grade.
Mam was sidelined for nine games by the NRL following his ban for drug-driving.
Many footy fans felt the suspension was weak given Mam was driving with an illicit drug in his system and without a licence at the time of the incident.
A four-year-old girl was hospitalised with a broken hip as a result of Mam’s head-on collision with an Uber.
