Injured centre ruled out of NSW State of Origin selection for game two
Updated ,first published
Injured center Latrell Mitchell is out of the selection frame for the second State of Origin match in Melbourne, but NSW Laurie Daley has confirmed Mitchell Moses could reclaim the NSW No.6 jersey if he proves his fitness for Parramatta next Monday.
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett said on Sunday that batting center Mitchell will not feature for the Rabbitohs when they face Manly on Thursday and is unlikely to return from a back injury until round 17 against Parramatta after the second Origin match at the MCG on June 18.
Mitchell was a center of form before the NRL. Injured his back against the Knights He missed one match against Cronulla before returning for the Magic Round. But it broke down again and then He eliminated himself from the Blues for Origin I race.
It was hoped Mitchell would return for Souths’ clash against Manly on Thursday, but Bennett said his return date was another month away.
“His back isn’t any worse, it just took him a little longer to rehab, that’s all,” Bennett said.
“He won’t be selected in Origin. He won’t be back until he plays Parra after Origin II.”
Campbell Graham (calf) will return for the Sea Eagles game.
Provided they remain fit, Stephen Crichton and Kotoni Staggs are likely to remain the Blues’ centers for the second Origin game.
Moses is expected to overcome his hamstring injury and feature for the Eels against the Dogs next Monday, after which Daley will name his squad. Canterbury’s reserve full-back Jacob Kiraz is also being monitored.
Broncos prop Payne Haas (knee) and Penrith backrower Liam Martin (knee) will be available for NSW selection. Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau and Sydney Roosters utility player Connor Watson are among those to replace them Blayke Brailey (broken arm).
Moses was selected as NSW’s No.6 but was sidelined with a tight hamstring two days before the opening interstate match against the Maroons. His replacement, Ethan Strange, was outstanding on his debut and the Canberra rookie was he retained his starting five-eighth role.
But Daley is willing to remain loyal to Moses if he returns fully to his old self.
“I think Mitch has proven himself at this level in the past and he is a very important member of the team,” Daley said.
“He’s not a bad hammy and to be honest the doctor said he would if he had a week to recover. It was such a small thing really. The beauty of Ethan is that you can play him anywhere, not just at number 6 but in the centers and even at lock.”
The Blues started poorly last Wednesday night, trailing 20-6 at halftime. They were 20-0 down in the third game in Sydney last year, and had a 26-6 lead at half-time in Perth.
“In Perth we slowly got out of the blocks, probably couldn’t handle the emotion of the occasion and the results Queensland could have given us in Sydney, whereas last Wednesday was mostly about mistakes; we couldn’t keep the ball,” Daley said.
“People also overlooked that we were training with a guy who was ranked five-eighth all week, and although Ethan was excellent, he got in there late and spent most of his camp training elsewhere, which was always going to mess up our rhythm at the start.
“However, we also need to figure out why we’re starting slowly. We’re all aware of that. I’ll also have to look at what I’m doing and what I’m not doing.”
