Somewhat puzzling news broke in the lead-up to the announcement of the NSW Blues team.
The man who is arguably the best centre in rugby league was about to be axed for State of Origin 2.
O’Connell: Did Gus Gould get Latrell Mitchell dropped for Game 2?
Unless he pulled some something very special out of the bag against Canterbury, the selectors were putting a red line through his name.
It is always curious that the rugby league media have the word on team selections days before the announcement but that’s another article for another day.
Like many, I didn’t believe that Brad Fittler and his offsiders would actually go through with Mitchell’s omission. After scoring a double against a hapless Bulldogs it seemed he would scrape through, albeit with a warning shot that he needed to be at his devastating best against the Queenslanders.
Fittler, under pressure after the first game loss, has found the big red panic button. After making seven changes – some admittedly forced due to injuries – the usually jovial coach is now facing the reality of a series and a potential job loss if things don’t go well in Perth.
There is no question that Mitchell’s form has been better than he is showing at the moment. As Freddy put it, he didn’t “meet expectations” in the game at Suncorp.
Though he scored twice on the weekend, they were tries that any NRL centre worth their salt would have executed without difficulty. At seven runs for 71 metres against the Bulldogs, the big centre could get more involved and do better given his ability.
Surely there was scope to give him another shot in Perth based on the potential threat he provides in attack and what he brought to the arena last series?
Just six weeks ago Latrell absolutely terrorised his Wests Tigers opposite Esan Marsters, a New Zealand international. It was a three-try, two try-assist haul that was described as a masterclass and brought further comparisons to the recently retired Greg Inglis.
That form is bubbling under the surface waiting to reappear. A do-or-die match against the Maroons over the other side of Australia may well have been the perfect moment for that to happen.
It appears Fittler doesn’t have the desire or the patience to give him another chance to retrieve his best form.
Instead we will see Canberra’s Jack Wighton line up in his centre position. Wighton is a quality player and a solid defender who will give his all for NSW but he doesn’t pose the same threat to the Maroons that Mitchell brings.
Kevin Walters and Queensland centre Will Chambers will be relieved that they don’t have to deal with Latrell on Sunday. Mitchell’s size, speed and ability to anticipate an opportunity means he provides a headache for any opposition defence.
It is not hard to gauge which side of the fence the Queensland coach sits on when it comes to loyalty in selections.
“We’ve been very loyal. I have a great belief in this team and the only changes we’ve had have been forced,” Walters told journalists after picking his side for Game 2.
Josh Morris, who by all accounts did meet expectations after defending well and scoring the Blues’ first try, was also dropped and Tom Trbojevic has come into the side.
Trbojevic was expected to be there – he is too good a player not to be – but it was thought he would be selected as a winger after Cotric picked up an injury.
NSW have gone for a new combination, gambling on two players that don’t play centre for their club. It is a short lead-in to the game that includes a flight to Perth, meaning only a few training sessions at best. The modern-day rugby league centre has arguably the most difficult defensive role in the team in terms of communication and decision-making.
The Queensland coach and his coach whisperer Bradley Charles Stubbs will be quietly chortling at the way NSW have reacted with the jitters after a four-point loss in the first game.
If a Wighton pass doesn’t get intercepted by Dane Gagai the result could have easily gone the other way and I suspect Mitchell, Josh Morris, Angus Crichton and Cody Walker would have picked up another blue tracksuit.
On the other hand, Cameron Munster was unstoppable against Newcastle on the weekend and is emerging as one of the game’s superstars. He has that perceived extra time that only the classiest players possess.
Along with that other freakish talent, Kalyn Ponga, he is ensuring that Queensland aren’t missing the Thurstons, Slaters and Cronks as much as they might.
If Queensland win on Sunday night you can bet that Munster and Ponga have played a big part in the victory. They both have the ability to create opportunities when there is seemingly nothing on.
New South Wales will rely heavily on James Tedesco to provide the same for the Blues with Mitchell absent.
Daniel Saifiti and Dale Finucane are solid picks based on good club form. James Maloney will bring leadership, experience and a bit of mongrel to the side. Wade Graham will add a bit of the X-factor off the bench. Blake Ferguson is a big body that can cart the ball up strongly from his own end.
Since the teams have been announced, the odds have shortened on a Queensland series victory. The betting public are not convinced that Fittler has pulled the right rein with selection.
I have this sinking feeling that this team won’t be strong enough to hold out the marauding Maroons in Perth.
The 2019 Origin series is now in danger of being recorded as Freddy’s fiasco.
As a Blues fan, I hope not.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Now back to math class for you blueboy
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
No worries but it will be souths4yh loss in a row
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
No worries but it will be souffs fourth loss in a row.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Papi Surf https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/how-nrl-clubs-beat-not-cheat-the-salary-cap-20190517-p51ofa.html
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Thanks for bringing back to the future Insider. Ner0 the papa Smurfster is salary cap crazy on the Chooks. I'm here to educate the Clown.ahahahahahahaha
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
That equals 30 players combined on 9.8 but wait there's more Smurfter… In 2019 the cap is $9.6 mill for 30 players, four of whom can be on a development wage of $75,000. The minimum wage away from that is $105,000. So that reduces it to 9.7 and a few of those players are on TPD
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Seems to me Papa Smurf = Clown X 5 mill ahahahahahahaha
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Papa Smurf your assumptions that Mitchell and Manu were on .75 mill has been exposed since the facts came out the Mitchell is only on .45 mill. ahahahahahah
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
1. Tedesco 1 mill, Cronk 1 mill, only mill players, Crichton 8.5 mill, who is your other mill player Ner0
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Have 5 players combined on $1 mill minimum Have 12 players combined on $4.8 mill minimum pay Have 2 players combined on 2 mill minimum pay Have 1 player combined on .85 mill minimum pay
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Have 10 players combined on $1 mill minimum pay
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
ahahahahahaha….you make me laugh so hard I almost fell of my stool. Ratchet will be angry if she needs to clean up after me. You forgot that Latrell four hundred and fifty Mitchell plus ten players are on minimum income.
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
ahahahahahaha….you make me laugh so hard I almost fell of my stool. Ratchet will be angry if she needs to clean up after me. You forget that Mitchel is on 450 and 10 players are on minimum wage, which is 110 times 10 = 1.1 mil for ten players, out of the 30. Looks like I'm having a brilliant start Nautius Maximus. Players like Collins, Butcher, Tupouniua, Faamausili, Lamb, are 200 = 1 mil...so far we have 15 players on 2.1 mil Players like Manu, Tetevano, Radley, Tupou, Aubusson, Hall, Morris, Liu, are all 350-400 and from there papa smurf, yes even you should be able to add the correct amounts up to get it under 9.2 plus third party agreements
Insider
Roar Rookie
Forever in the shadow of a Giant Chicken Baaaaaaaa
Insider
Roar Rookie
He hiding, wait till Sunday lol Then next Thursday when the rabbids go down for the 3rd week in a row Choo Choo , outa May way here I come, I’m blue and I’m mad Choo Choo
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Great to team up with you Insider....now lets get to work on smurffie.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Baaaaaaaa, you seen the smuf? Choo Choo outa my way, choo Choo
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
When the Roosters are under the salary cap Woodchook I will acknowledge it at that time. Have 4 players combined on $4 mill and another 4 players on $2.3 mill combined is not a great start. Now is it?
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
Well its about time you realise that the Gregory Peck mob are under the cap SSTID_1970
Ralph Malph
Roar Rookie
hahahahaha