- Latrell Mitchell has two chances to impress Michael Maguire
- Mitchell will see Maguire at a Souths meeting on Saturday
- Mitchell was rejected for Origin I and has been playing well
Latrell Mitchell will have the chance to impress Michael Maguire when the Souths take on the Broncos on Friday night and will then go toe-to-toe with the Blues coach on Saturday afternoon.
Mitchell has not played for Origin since 2021 due to injury and was left out of Maguire’s game in a team after an indifferent start to the 2024 campaign.
But as Maguire searches for a replacement for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to save the series for New South Wales in Melbourne on June 26, the Rabbitohs defender has made a compelling case for the Blues coach to pick up the phone.
Mitchell has been playing well and was in everything when the Bunnies defeated Gold Coast 46-12 at Cbus Super Stadium last week.
Latrell Mitchell (pictured) will have a chance to impress NSW coach Michael Maguire when the Souths take on the Broncos on Friday night.
Mitchell will also see Maguire (pictured) face to face at Souths’ meeting on Saturday.
He will have another chance to impress the NSW coach when Souths take on the Broncos on Friday night before the pair spend Saturday together at South’s 10-year premiership reunion, which will be held at Souths Juniors.
Maguire coached Souths to the title in 2014 and has confirmed he will attend the meeting at the weekend.
NRL great Andrew Johns says Mitchell is a “must pick” for Origin II in Melbourne if the Blues are to win.
“Latrell just has to come in, there’s no ifs ands or buts,” Johns said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“There are rumors that something happened before camp and he didn’t talk to Madge or show up or something, who cares, just take him there.”
Johns was as impressed as everyone else by Mitchell’s performance against Gold Coast.
“It destroyed them yesterday; it just has to be there,” Johns said.
Souths star Tom Burgess also urged Blues coach Michael Maguire to select Mitchell for the Blues.
Mitchell has not played in Origin since 2021, but many are calling for him to be picked.
“I’d have him there if I was the coach. I think he’s dangerous. If you’re from Queensland, you’d rather have him outside than inside,” Burgess said.
“He is one of those athletes who is big, fast and strong, but he can also throw a ball 30 meters and there he is also learning to kick.” He thinks it’s Dusty Martin. It’s another rope for him and we are better off with him on the side.
‘I don’t think I’m too worried about it (proving a point) at the moment. It is centered on red and green. He is passionate about the Blues and he wants them to do well. If they needed him there, I’m sure he’d be in the conversation.