- Latrell Mitchell’s replacement has been named in Origin
- Mitchell succumbed to a football injury against Parramatta
- He has been replaced by a Newcastle Knights centre
Bradman Best will be tasked with filling a Latrell Mitchell-sized hole in the New South Wales backline after Blues coach Michael Maguire selected the Newcastle centre for the State of Origin decider.
Best is on course for his second Origin appearance for the Blues after Mitchell succumbed to a foot injury following South Sydney’s win over Parramatta on Thursday.
The inclusion of 22-year-old Best at centre is one of two changes made by Maguire ahead of the decider on July 17 at Suncorp Stadium.
Mitch Barnett replaces Haumole Olakau’atu for his New South Wales debut as he aims to dominate a Queensland side who were unable to withstand the Blues’ relentless forward pack in Game 2 in Melbourne.
Throughout his NRL career, Barnett has demonstrated his ability to cover both the middle of the field and the edges.
But arguably no one has a bigger task than Best in filling the void left by Mitchell, who gave Queensland centre Valentine Holmes a bath at the MCG.
Best was not selected for the first game due to injury and was caught in a four-team battle to take Mitchell’s jersey before Maguire’s squad was announced on Sunday night.
The Knights centre faced stiff competition from Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, as well as Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, who returned for the Sea Eagles in their golden point win over North Queensland on Saturday.
Latrell Mitchell’s replacement for State of Origin decider revealed
Mitchell suffered a foot injury during Souths’ win over Parramatta on Thursday
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was the fourth and final option available to Maguire but the Sydney Roosters utility man has not played a competitive game since being sent off in the series opener for his head hit on Reece Walsh.
Best won his only previous New South Wales jersey in Game 3 last year when he came into a Blues side that had already lost the series.
He showed he was undaunted by the occasion, a trait that will be needed as the Blues attempt to win a final in Queensland for the first time since 2005.
“Bradman’s performance before he got injured in Round 1 was exceptional,” Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien said after Sunday’s 16-12 win over Canberra.
“What probably plays in his favour is that he’s been back for a while and has put in some good performances.
“Being in good shape is being in good shape, and he’s certainly been playing very well.”
Maguire will name the three members of the extended squad when he addresses the media on Monday.
Newcastle Knights star Bradman Best has been selected as Mitchell’s replacement
Meanwhile, Mitchell will meet with a specialist in the coming days to see if he needs surgery on his foot.
Surgery would likely rule Mitchell out of playing any further role in South Sydney’s season.