NSW Blues Origin team news: Fresh Payne Haas injury blow, Latrell Mitchell rules himself out

A 30-year-old veteran is set to debut for NSW with superstar Blues prop Payne Haas on the verge of being ruled out of the Origin decider.

Latrell Mitchell made a solid return for South Sydney against the Eels. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Superstar NSW prop Payne Haas is on the verge of being ruled out of Origin III after the Broncos enforcer suffered more damage to his injured shoulders ahead of the Suncorp decider on Wednesday week.

News Corp can reveal Jordan McLean is set to make his belated State of Origin debut at age 30, with NSW coach Brad Fittler resigned to losing Haas in a major blow to the Blues’ hopes of retaining the Origin shield.

While there has been an inferno of debate over whether Fittler should recall Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton for Origin III, the NSW coach has a separate dilemma in the engine room.

Haas is NSW’s No.1 prop but Brisbane’s hulking 118kg hardman is in grave doubt for the decider against Queensland after aggravating his injured shoulders in the Broncos’ 40-26 loss to the Cowboys on Saturday night.

The 22-year-old went into the Cowboys clash resembling an NFL player, with both shoulders heavily padded after suffering two bouts of AC joint damage in the past eight weeks.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

Payne Haas is set to miss the Origin decider (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Broncos doctors assessed Haas after the loss to the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium and their medical advice suggested the Blues bookend needs two weeks’ rest — a scenario that could rule him out of Origin III.

Fittler will finalise his NSW team on Monday and if Haas is officially scratched, the door of opportunity will open for McLean to become the latest Cowboys star to bolt into the State of Origin arena.

North Queensland will have four players in the Queensland team for Game Three and the Cowboys bonanza is set to continue with McLean on the cusp of a sky-blue debut, while hooker Reece Robson is tipped to be added to NSW’s extended squad.

It is a fitting reward for McLean and Robson, who have been the poster boys of the Cowboys’ club-wide rejuvenation that has seen North Queensland go from also-rans to premiership contenders in the top three.

Haas is one of the best metre-eaters in the code and his potential withdrawal would be a blow for a NSW side already wrestling with the prospect of changing a winning team by recalling Wighton, who missed Origin II due to Covid.

Payne Haas has fresh injury concerns (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

McLean has been a maligned figure in recent years after some below-par seasons at the Cowboys but the off-contract prop has the experience to handle a Suncorp Origin baptism.

A veteran of 173 NRL games, the monstrous McLean has also played eight Tests for Australia, featuring in the Kangaroos’ 2017 World Cup final victory, and his size would be a handy weapon for the Blues in midfield.

Even without Haas, the Blues will start Origin III as favourites given the emphatic nature of their 44-12 thumping of Queensland in Game Two at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

Johns drops big selection hint after ‘selfless’ Latrell call

— Fatima Kdouh

NSW great Andrew Johns has labelled Latrell Mitchell’s shock decision to withdraw from Origin as ‘selfless’ and believes Jack Wighton will return for game three off the bench for the Blues.

The South Sydney superstar made an impressive return from a hamstring injury to guide the Rabbitohs to a 30-12 victory over Parramatta on Saturday night.

But the fullback moved quickly after the match to rule himself out of the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 13.

Johns said any decision selection made by Blues coach Brad Fittler over Mitchell, who missed the first two games of the series, would dominate the week leading into game three.

“You can see him supporting the Blues, supporting Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton. It was a really selfless decision because there would have been a lot of pressure today on, not only Brad Fittler, but people within the team about whether he’d be picked or not,” Johns said on Channel 9's Sunday Footy Show.

Latrell Mitchell dropped the Origin bombshell in an interview with Fox League. Picture: Getty

It’s believed Mitchell’s bombshell even surprised Rabbitohs officials but the club has backed the 25-year old, who wants to focus on South Sydney’s charge towards the finals.

“It was a completely selfless decision by Latrell. His comments about Wighton, Crichton and Burton, who have done such a great job for NSW in games one and two, also showed a great deal of class and character,” South Sydney CEO Blake Solly said.

“The club is fully supportive of Latrell’s decision on game three. Our members and fans are extremely excited by his commitment to the Club, and the focus on ensuring the rest of season 2022 is a success”.

Mitchell’s successful return after a 10-week lay off had the fullback locked in a battle with Burton, Wighton and Crichton for the two centre spots in Fittler’s side, which will be announced on Monday morning.

Wighton, who was best on ground at left centre in game one, missed Origin II with Covid-19 but Johns is expecting the Canberra playmaker to return on the bench.

Jack Wighton (C) is fit to return to the Blues after being among their best in Game 1. Picture: Getty

Burton replaced Wighton on the left in Perth and should keep his place with Stephen Crichton to retain the right centre spot.

“I think he’ll (Wighton) play maybe in that jersey 14 position off the bench because Jack can play anywhere probably except halfback,” Johns said.

“Matt Burton, he’s there now for 10 or 12 years.

“Now Matt Burton is in the heads of Queensland’s back three with those torpedo bombs. Burton has got the gift to put himself in the position to score tries, he knows where to be at the right time. He has that combination with (Jarome) Luai and Nathan Cleary.

“I think Jack will come back but unfortunately for Jack, because he was our best player in game one, he will have to come back in jersey 14.”

Apisai Koroisau came in for Game 2, and gave the Blues a two-punch hooking rotation. Picture: Getty

Fittler opted for a two-hooker rotation in Perth with Api Koroisau in the no.9 jumper and Damien Cook on the bench. The tactic paid dividends and Fittler is likely to stick with Cook in Brisbane, meaning Cronulla’s Siosifa Talakai - who played 17 minutes in game two - is the man likely to drop off the bench.

South Sydney made a six-figure investment in Mitchell’s hamstrings after the fullback went down back in round five.

Mitchell travelled to America for treatment to work with reconditioning specialist Bill Knowles. Mitchell’s successful return to the field has him focused on club football.

“I think I’m going to shut those headlines down now, I’m going to pull myself out (of Origin) and worry about Souths and focus on myself,” Mitchell said after the Eels match.

“They’ve got a real good team there, NSW, and good luck to them and Burton in the centres.

“Give Crichton a go too. I really want to focus on South Sydney and getting myself right for the backend of the season.”