Jarome Luai warns Queensland that he will unlock Latrell Mitchell in State of Origin II

He’s hardly ever coy, but Blues star Jarome Luai says Queensland are going to find out on Wednesday night why he can’t wait to partner with Latrell Mitchell.

NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai has promised to unlock the returning beast Latrell Mitchell but stopped short of revealing how, instead vowing: “I’ll show you (how) on Wednesday.”

The Blues were in a buoyant mood in Melbourne on Monday as they look to square the State of Origin series at the MCG.

And Luai had a warning for the Maroons after he was asked whether Mitchell was ready to rip into Queensland.

“F...ing oath, man. That’s the vibe he’s brought into camp,” Luai said.

“If he turns up ready to rock, look out.”

Luai and Mitchell share a special bond forged from the Blues’ last series win in 2021, and they will look to recreate that magical left-side combination alongside edge forward Angus Crichton.

Mitchell will seek early ball as he goes on a seek-and-destroy mission against the Maroons.

“If he’s out there, automatically you have to think about him and what he can do,” Luai said.

“As an individual, there’s only a few players as gifted as that. He’s got that aura about him. All we want to do now is win and win for our state.”

Jarome Luai and Latrell Mitchell have built a special connection. Picture: NRL Imagery

Luai hinted at the multiple options the Blues had in attack when they sweep left.

“That’s a big responsibility of mine to unlock Latrell and what he can do. I’ve done that before (in 2021). That gives me confidence knowing I can do that for him and for our team. I think our relationship will help that on Wednesday,” he said.

“You can’t really hear each other, but you see it, you know it’s on. I’ve got a guy like Angus Crichton outside me and he’s playing crazy at the Roosters. There are some weapons I need to unlock. I’ve got my own running game. We definitely have some options there.”

Mitchell hasn’t played Origin since that 2021 series and the Blues have desperately missed his matchwinning ability.

“We have got a mad relationship, me and Trell. I’m so happy he’s back in camp. It’s been unfortunate the last couple of camps where he’s been injured with his calf and he’s had to leave late,” Luai said.

“It’s pretty special for himself. The last series we played together we got the job done. I know what we can do when we’re at our best.”

Luai and Mitchell are both polarising players, who attract scrutiny because of their outspoken natures. It’s something, Luai says, that binds them. But the pair share plenty of other similarities, too.

“I guess what I’ve been through and what he’s been through, I can relate to him off the field. I know people use the word polarising a lot,” he said.

“We’re definitely in the spotlight of the media a lot and how we hold ourselves. I think that’s why we get along so well. He’s a big family dude, like me, and at the end of the day we just want to do what’s best for our families.

“That’s why we’ve connected so well. We’ve got the same management. We see each other a lot and do a lot for the community as well. He’s got good energy man, and that’s what I love about him.

“Not just me and Latrell, but our connection with every player and the opportunity we have on Wednesday. It’s all about brotherhood. Hopefully we can use that on Wednesday. Right now we are willing to lay it all on the line and give our bodies for the state. I’m getting goosebumps thinking about it. It’s going to be a tough job.”

NSW players will once again target Reece Walsh despite the Maroons star being clobbered out of Origin I after seven minutes.

“It’s been spoken about a lot and the fact they think we have a target on his head,” Luai said.

“Being that type of player he is, and what he can do on the field and what he can do, you’re going to have a target on you already. We can’t go in half-arsed. We can’t go in 50 per cent. We’ve got to do what we’ve always planned to do, which is restrict him in what he can do. Hopefully we can do that.”

A crowd of around 90,000 is expected at the MCG on Wednesday night for what will be another memorable chapter on Origin’s 44-year history. Luai insists he won’t be overawed given his big-game experience.

“I know it’s going to be a big crowd, 80,000, 90,000. I’ve played in a few big games myself so I know what to expect. It’s an Origin do-or-die game – it doesn’t get better than that, occasion-wise. It’s a great challenge for us,” Luai said.

“I don’t know what it’s going to be like or how the diversity of Melbourne is or who they go for but ever since we arrived here, people have been saying: ‘Up The Blues’. I feel like I’m in NSW to be honest.”

Originally published as Jarome Luai warns Queensland that he will unlock Latrell Mitchell in State of Origin II