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Stephen Crichton is in the hot seat for the State of Origin series opener after Latrell Mitchell was ruled out but Nicho Hynes is unlikely to also be promoted to the starting side with Nathan Cleary set to take his place.
Cleary has been battling a painful wisdom tooth problem in the lead-up to Wednesday night’s clash at Adelaide Oval but coach Brad Fittler said their star halfback would be right to play.
There’s no such luck for Mitchell who suffered a calf injury when he failed to finish Sunday’s session and scans revealed he had suffered a minor strain and he could not be risked against the Maroons.
Mitchell’s absence is a bitter blow for the Blues as they begin their quest to regain the Origin shield surrendered last year to Queensland in a 2-1 upset.
Stephen Crichton speaks to Latrell Mitchell at Blues training. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Crichton has “done a Stephen Bradbury” by getting a start – NSW’s fourth or perhaps fifth-choice centre was only called into the 19-man squad when Mitchell’s South Sydney teammate Campbell Graham, initially selected as 18th man, was omitted due to a sternum problem.
The Rabbitohs then claimed it wasn’t that serious and named him in their team to play Canberra on the weekend but he did not play.
Canberra veteran Jack Wighton could have also been an option ahead of Crichton but he recently announced his retirement from rep footy.
For the 22-year-old Panthers speedster, it is a chance to make amends after a few errors in his debut campaign last year proved costly in the grand scheme of things.
He was selected on the bench for game one and after coming on midway through the second half, Crichton was immediately placed on report for a dangerous lifting tackle on Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The Maroons scored what turned out to be the match-sealing try on the next set.
He started in game two at right centre and was the only Blues outside back to run less than 100 metres, just 43 from eight runs and apart from a try assist, was relatively quiet in the 44-12 triumph.
And in game three, he made a bad read in defence on his goal line to allow opposing centre Valentine Holmes to score the opening try of the match.
Crichton, who also normally plays on the right edge for Penrith, will switch to left centre to replace Mitchell but will again be confronted with Holmes. Queensland had switched the Cowboys star to their right side to muscle up on Mitchell.
Fittler said there was a chance Mitchell could have made the trip to Adelaide with a slight chance he could have felt better after Tuesday’s captain’s run.
“But he made the unselfish decision to allow Stephen to take his position,” Fittler told reporters after touching down at the airport. “Stephen had been there all week. I think he felt that was better for the team.
“He was very emotional, it shows where he is at, at the moment, he wants the biggest stage and it’s disappointing for everyone. A lot goes with Latrell and it’s a shame we don’t get to see him playing State of Origin, I’m sure he’ll be right for game two.”
Crichton also spoke to the media and said he knew he had to be “ready for anything” as part of the extended squad.
“I’ve prepared as if I was starting so if anything like this happens I won’t be looking back and think I should’ve done this or I should’ve done that. Now that the opportunity is there I’m keen for it and ready to go.”
Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton was called into the NSW squad on Monday and will be the new 18th man. Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu and Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey are the other reserves who travelled with the team to the South Australian capital.
“I don’t think anything changes for us. It’s a big loss for them but they’ve got plenty of players that will do a job for them,” Maroons utility Ben Hunt said. “Our focus is always on what we can do, so not much changes.
“Definitely (Mitchell) brought a lot of strike to their left edge. There’s no secret what Latrell can do, takes a bit of star power out of it..”
It’s a cruel blow for Mitchell after he missed last year’s series due to a torn hamstring.
The 25-year-old has scored six tries in seven Origins and has been in top form for Souths this season.
Mitchell and fellow Blues centre Tom Trbojevic, who was also absent last year due to shoulder surgery, carved up Queensland two years ago, particularly in the first two matches when NSW won by a combined 76-6.
Former Blues five-eighth Matty Johns said NSW would sorely miss Mitchell’s presence. “It’s the intimidation factor, it’s a bit like being a boxer and stepping into the ring with Mike Tyson,” Johns told SEN. “Latrell has so much intimidation and presence and you lose a lot of that.”
Front-rower Payne Haas has been cleared to line up for the Blues after he rolled his ankle at training last week.
Queensland have no injury concerns with five-eighth Cameron Munster overcoming a minor rib complaint.
Hunt said he would start in the No.9 and share minutes with Melbourne hooker Harry Grant, a combination that reaped rewards last year.
with AAP