Jarryd Hayne breaks silence after prison release with excited message

A dream fortnight for Jarryd Hayne got even better on Wednesday night - and he couldn’t contain his excitement.

For most of Latrell Mitchell’s Origin exile, Jarryd Hayne was sitting behind bars.

But after a dramatic fortnight in both men’s lives, they were back doing what they love to do on Wednesday night.

Mitchell was scoring a try and laying big hits for the Blues - and Hayne was watching on with wonder as a free man.

“Trelly mitt!!!” the former NSW player wrote on Facebook as the Rabbitohs star ran riot in the first half.

After three years in the wilderness, Mitchell’s return to the State of Origin arena couldn’t have gone much better.

Inserted into the centres in place of the suspended Joseph Suaallii, Mitchell was the perfect cog in NSW’s system as the Blues defeated Queensland 38-18 to level the series 1-1.

The Blues scored six tries to none in the highest scoring first half in Origin history in an emphatic response to force a decider in Brisbane in three weeks.

Liam Martin was put through a hole to open the scoring, before NSW attacked the edges with great success.

Zac Lomax and Brian To’o had first half doubles, and Mitchell went over for a try before opening his shoulders with some aggressive defence in the second half.

It was the most dominant first half in the 44-year history of State of Origin.

The previous halftime record was 21-0 by the Maroons way back in Game 3 of the 1993 series, a game they would win 43-22.

The Blues’ highest first-half score was in Game 1 of the 2002 series, a paltry 21-4 in comparison to this demolition.

Latrell Mitchell scored a try and was excellent in defence. Pic: Michael Klein

Mitchell imposed himself on the game with some searing defensive efforts in the second half.

He was put on report for a high shot on Maroons winger Xavier Coates and also tackled Reece Walsh, lifted him off the ground and gently slammed him into the turf before following up with a well disguised elbow.

“That’s actually smart play by Latrell,” Cameron Smith said on Channel 9.

“He could have got on with him. He let him down gently and finished it off on the ground.”

Mitchell’s tackle on Coates was deemed a Grade 1 offence by the NRL Judicary — he will be docked seven per cent of his match fee but avoids suspension.

Mitchell tackles Reece Walsh. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Mitchell told Paul Gallen post-game: “I honestly don’t make it about myself. It’s about the people that showed up today, about everyone here in blue jerseys, blue shirts, our families showing up, NSW showing up, mate.

“It’s a neutral ground to come to. We’ve got another one to go. Very proud of the boys. Our week was very special, loved it.”

Angus Crichton, who had an excellent game himself, said his former Roosters teammate was a welcome addition.

“I’m so happy for the big fella. He’s a freak when he gets going, there’s an aura about him,” Crichton said.

Queensland legend Darren Lockyer said: “(Latrell) lived up to the hype, (he) was outstanding.

“I don’t think he overplayed his hand. I think he just came to do his hand.

“I think he just came to do his job and when you do that, you’ll come up with some big plays, like he did tonight.”

The Oracle wrote on X: “Latrell Mitchell is still the best centre in the world. He’s unstoppable.”

The Blues only added one try in the second half through debutant Dylan Edwards, while Queensland scored three tries to to put some respectability to the scoreboard.

Latrell Mitchell returned to Origin in style. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It’s easy to see why he’s a key player for NSW. Pic: Michael Klein

Mitchell had opened up about being a controversial figure in the game in a moving pre-match interview.

“I just feel like a lot of people hate me. They don’t know me,” Mitchell told Nine before Game 2.

“A lot of people tend to paint me as the villain all the time so I tend to shut the doors on who I am as a person. That’s who I am at the moment because of how I’ve been sh*t on in my past time.

“But I’ve learned a lot from those situations, being young and taken advantage of.

“If the media just shut up and let me play, honestly, I could amaze you.

“All I ever done was stuck up for my culture, my people and my family.

“If I had shut up and got on with my job like everyone says I have to do now, I’d be the best player in the world.”

Asked if he would be happy doing that, Mitchell said: “Nah, no way.”

Originally published as Jarryd Hayne breaks silence after prison release with excited message