Indigenous Sport Month: Laurie Daley says Latrell Mitchell has to fire up to secure Origin spot

Latrell Mitchell was once considered a virtual certainty for the Blues. Now, after four weeks on the sidelines and an anonymous return, he needs to fire in Indigenous Round to keep his spot.

Laurie Daley has urged Latrell Mitchell to use Indigenous Round as a springboard into the NSW Origin side, while also warning Penrith livewire Jarome Luai could prove a genuine Blues threat under the ongoing NRL crackdown on high shots.

In a bumper prelude to NRL Indigenous Round, Daley has predicted no less than a dozen players are putting their Origin hopes on the line – among them the likes of Luai, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Tom Trbojevic, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Nathan Brown, Isaah Yeo and Junior Paulo.

With the NRL’s crackdown on head shots also likely to extend to Origin, Daley added that the code’s new landscape would also impact on how coach Brad Fittler picked his side for the season opener, with Luai the most likely benefactor.

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Laurie Daley has urged Latrell Mitchell to use Indigenous Round as a springboard into Origin. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Elsewhere, Daley also spoke about the future of the Indigenous All Stars concept — which he suggested could involve contests against new international powerhouse Tonga — while also praising League Central for ensuring Aboriginal athletes now have a stronger voice than ever in the code’s history.

Yet more than being a wonderful celebration of culture, Daley stressed Indigenous Round would also be crucial to deciding the make-up of NSW for the series opener in Melbourne.

He added that the NRL concussion crackdown would support the pairing of Penrith halves Nathan Cleary and Luai.

Late on Tuesday, there were reports suggesting Wighton had been pencilled into the Blues No.6 jersey, with the Panthers five-eighth to play off the interchange bench.

“Traditionally, Origin has always been refereed differently,” Daley said.

“Which meant you never had time for set pieces because the opposition was right there in your face.

Jarome Luai is firming for an Origin gig. Picture: Grant Trouville

“So instead, it was about individual moments – a player breaking through off a big run, or getting an arm free to offload – which is why I thought the style of footy Penrith are playing might not be suited to Origin.

“But now that we’re hearing the series will be officiated the same way as the NRL, I think your halves are going to get that time and space.

“And that’s why now you’d pick Jarome Luai.”

Daley added that while he would pick Mitchell in the centres, potentially alongside Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, there was pressure on the South Sydney superstar coming into the weekend.

“Latrell needs a big game,” he said.

“I really thought he was going to be a lock for Origin, but then getting suspended definitely didn’t help things.

“But a big game this weekend, and I think he gets there.

“I’d certainly pick him because I know what Latrell Mitchell can do.”

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Daley warned the NRL crackdown could also heavily impact who Fittler chooses up front.

“Because two weeks ago I would’ve had (Daniel) Saifiti, Payne Haas and Junior Paulo,” he said.

“But now? I’m not sure you can carry those three.

“So maybe NSW goes with two instead, or looks to those lighter middles like Jake Trbojevic, Isaah Yeo and Nathan Brown. Because you know at some stage, you’ll likely get down to 12 men.”

Apart from helping Fittler finalise his NSW side, Daley said Indigenous Round was also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the code’s widespread indigenous talent, each one of whom the NRL has individually mapped out as part of the round’s acknowledgments.

“Indigenous players now realise they have a loud voice,” Daley said.

Mark Reinke, Fatima Kdouh, Anne Weldon and Laurie Daley at the Indigenous Sport Month launch in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

“And it’s growing louder by the day, too.

“So they won’t be pushed to the back of the room.

“They want to share their culture, share their stories, share their opinions — and if people are derogatory towards them, they’re calling it out.

“Importantly, they also know they have the support of the game.

“In the past, I’m sure they didn’t always feel that was the case. But now they feel they not only have a strong voice, but that it’s supported.

“So they can share with everyone what they’re feeling.

“Share their emotions.

“Tell people what’s going on in their world ... which includes what they have to put up with.”