NSW Blues stars Latrell Mitchell and Spencer Leniu enforce self-imposed media bans

The NSW Rugby League backed two of the state’s highest profile players enforcing a blanket media ban ahead of the first State of Origin game. All the latest news from Blues camp.

NSW firebrand Spencer Leniu has joined Latrell Mitchell in pulling down the shutters to the media as two of the Sky Blues’ biggest names become Silent Blues in the lead-up to the opening game of the State Origin series.

Leniu, who will head to Suncorp Stadium vying with Liam Martin to be enemy No.1 in the eyes of Queensland fans, took part in a photo session at the NSW Centre of Excellence on Monday but declined to speak to the media pack as the Blues carried out their press commitments.

The Roosters enforcer hasn’t spoken to the media at club level since his verbal altercation with Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston earlier this year, where the pair clashed during and after the game against Brisbane over Thurston’s support for Broncos star Ezra Mam.

This masthead understands that Leniu didn’t feel comfortable speaking to the media on his first day in Origin camp given he has been shielded at club level in recent weeks.

Spencer Leniu has initiated a self-imposed media ban. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The NSW Rugby League backed their player’s stance given it was an extension of what has happened in clubland and they didn’t feel that they should add pressure to his shoulders by making him talk.

It’s the same stance the Blues have adopted with Mitchell, who has now gone nine months without speaking to media as he puts all his energy into recapturing his best form.

While the pair kept their thoughts to themselves, their teammates backed the decision to shield them from the media

“He is just dialled in and ready to focus on helping us get the win,” NSW forward Angus Crichton said.

“I didn’t even notice he wasn’t doing media and I think if that is what is going to get the best out of Spence on game day, then I am all for it.”

Utility Connor Watson added: “He’s (Leniu) all good. There has been a fair bit of stuff about him in the media over the last year or so. So I think maybe he just wanted to stay quiet.”

Mitchell, Leniu and Martin are expected to be in the crosshairs of the Maroons faithful given the way they relish playing the villain un the Origin arena.

“They love it I think,” Crichton said.

“If you don’t love it, it would probably rattle you, When you’re in this arena you don’t have a choice but to love it.

“You have to because it is not going to go away. It is good man. It is good to have those characters in our team to take it to these guys in their home.

“Obviously we did well up there last year - I remember in 2022 we had a good win as well.”

Spencer Leniu arrives at NSW Blues camp. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Latrell Mitchell revealed he wouldn’t engage with media during the series. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Watson insisted that the best thing for the Blues was to have Mitchell and Leniu in the right frame of mind next week.

“For those guys, you want them in a really good head space going into the game,” Watson said.

“They have both been in really good form... we saw what Latrell has been doing for Souths this year, I was on the receiving end of one of those freakish plays that he can come up with.

“But yeah, but we want both of those focused and in a good head space heading into next Wednesday night.”

LATRELL ARRIVES IN CAMP

Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell was one of the first players to arrive at the team hotel on Monday morning.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, and Daley’s advisor, was the first to greet Mitchell.

The duo were spotted have a quick chat in the hotel foyer before Mitchell checked in.

The Rabbitohs fullback has been on a self imposed media ban but did greet the media pack with big smile as he walked into the hotel.

Mitchell was recalled into the centres but Canterbury captain is racing the clock to take the field with Bulldogs centre struggling with a groin injury.

The Blues’ out of state contingent were hot on Mitchell’s tail.

Warriors prop Mitch Barnett, North Queensland Cowboys hooker Reece Robson and Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu were the next time arrive just before midday.

NSW Blues for Game 1 at Suncorp Stadium.

Parramatta captain Mitchell Moses was in high spirits when he arrived not long after with his golf clubs in toe.

An uber driver waiting outside the team hotel yelled out for Moses to “go well” as the star, who helped guide NSW to a famous victory in last year’s decider in Brisbane, made his way into the team hotel.

Daley fronted the media at the Blues centre of excellence at 10.15am before the entire squad do the same at 1.30pm.

Daley will move preparations to the Blue Mountains on Tuesday before flying to Brisbane on Sunday.

PANTHERS HIT TRAINING PADDOCK, CRICHTON UPDATE

Nathan Cleary went straight to the field. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Penrith’s contingent of NSW players have hit the ground running on Monday morning as the Blues kick off preparations ahead of game one at Suncorp Stadium.

Blues players were not scheduled to start arriving at the team hotel in Homebush until late morning but a number of stars have already hit the training paddock.

Brian To’o. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Penrith stars Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o and Isaah Yeo, who will captain the Blues, were spotted going through some running drills at the Blues centre of excellence.

Penrith had the bye last weekend and to ensure their readiness for the series opener at Suncorp stadium, they were put through their paces on Monday morning.

The Panthers cohort, with Lomax who retained his place on the wing after making a successful from a footy injury against the Knights, were clutching onto their coffees as they took the short walk from the training paddock at the centre of excellence to the team hotel.

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Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton showed no signs of anxiety over his groin injury, which threatens to rule him out of the series opener.

Crichton has been managing the niggling injury, and has been on a reduced load at training in club land.

South Sydney’s Campbell Graham has been called in as emergency replacement if Crichton is ultimately rubbed out of game one.

Champion Panthers halfback Cleary was recalled, for game one after missing last year’s series with injury, in favour of Tigers playmaker Jarome Luai in the halves alongside Mitchell Moses.