Legend’s big Latrell call as Souths star’s Origin selection status revealed

Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell has reportedly made a call surrounding his State of Origin eligibility as team selection draws closer.

NRL 2024 RD10 St. George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs - Latrell Mitchell, Dejection. Picture: NRL Photos

Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell has reportedly informed those close to him he’s made himself available for Origin selection.

The news comes as The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio has revealed NSW selectors will announce their squad for the series opener on Sunday night.

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“The NSW Blues are planning to announce a 20-man squad on Sunday night for State of Origin I,” Riccio wrote.

Initial reports regarding Mitchell’s availability suggested he would take his name out of the hat to be picked for the series opener, but he has now reportedly made it clear he wants to play for his state.

That is according to The Daily Telegraph, who are reporting Mitchell will have to contend with several stars to win the vacant centre spot.

Latrell is ready to play in Origin. Picture: NRL Photos

Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton has been widely tipped to be Maguire’s first choice centre, while Matt Burton, Jesse Ramien and Zac Lomax are also in contention.

Meanwhile, Bradman Best suffered a hamstring injury but was another leading contender to play his second game for NSW.

Since returning from suspension, Mitchell has been one of the Rabbitohs best players despite the club failing to win a game.

Rugby league legend Matty Johns, speaking on SEN, believes Maguire will have no choice but to pick Mitchell after Round 12.

“I think the timing (of selections) could not be better for Latrell… if Trell (Mitchell) goes out this weekend and, against Parramatta, has a stormer, which I anticipate he’s going to, I’d pick him,” Johns said.

“The day after the game… if it (player ratings) has Latrell Mitchell 8/10, I know we’ve won.

“Up until (last night) he was a certainty, I’d pick him purely on presence but the waters are murky now for me because I look at Matt Burton and what he did last night, but I just I love Latrell… just on what they know he’s going to do, they pick him.”

Latrell has been on fire since returning from suspension. NRL PHOTOS

South Sydney interim coach Ben Hornby says Latrell Mitchell “wouldn’t let anyone down” if he’s picked to make his State of Origin return.

While his club form is still building, Hornby is convinced his star player would lift for NSW if he’s given the chance, with a calf injury ruling him out last year.

“If I was standing on other side, I know who I’d want to be going against, and it’s not Latrell,” he said, with Mitchell to captain the team against Parramatta with Cameron Murray and Cody Walker injured.

“He’s a great player and he’s always been a big game player, so I can’t see why he wouldn’t be in the picture.

“He’s getting better and he’ll continue to get better in the next couple of weeks. He wouldn’t let anyone down.”

The opening game for the 2024 State of Origin series will take place on June 5 from Accor Stadium.

Originally published as Legend’s big Latrell call as Souths star’s Origin selection status revealed