Phil Rothfield’s highlights, lowlights from State of Origin 2: Latrell Mitchell finally earns champion status

You couldn’t help but feel for Ronaldo Mulitalo, so harshly robbed. Phil Rothfield is furious about what happened. Here’s why.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Latrell Mitchell of the Blues celebrates with Damien Cook of the Blues after winning game two of the 2021 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on June 27, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Phil Rothfield runs his rule over the Origin 2 action.

HIGHLIGHT

Latrell Mitchell, What a superstar. What a length of the field try. A true champion.

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LOWLIGHT

I felt sick all night for Ronaldo Mulitalo and his family, so harshly robbed of his Maroons jersey and a childhood dream to play State of Origin on game day. It’s disgusting. I’m dirty on the NSW Blues for lodging the protest. I’m dirty on the QRL for allowing this to happen.

And as for the bloody NRL … the qualification rules have been a sham for decades and nothing has been done about it. They should have used their discretionary powers and allowed him to start.

SPOTTED

Maroons legend Gorden Tallis having a beer in Brisbane on Saturday with Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, who was in town before the border closure to watch Nathan play for the Blues.

SPOTTED

Normally there are more than 20 Sydney-based rugby league journalists in Brisbane for an Origin game. This time there were only two — The Daily Telegraph’s Dean ‘Bulldog’ Ritchie and Channel 7’s Michelle Bishop. The rest of us had to cover the game off the television.

Dean Ritchie and Michelle Bishop outside the Blues' hotel in Brisbane.

SPOTTED

Former Channel 9 boss and Sydney Roosters tragic David Gyngell visiting Freddy Fittler and the Blues for dinner in Kingscliff on Wednesday night.

SPOTTED

Anthony Mundine made his debut as a boxing trainer in Townsville on Saturday in the corner of Sonny Bill Williams. Mundine’s dad, Tony, is SBW’s regular trainer but couldn’t make it into Queensland because of the border closure. Choc was already on the Gold Coast and flew to Townsville for the fight. SBW beat Kiwi Kato Falaefehi on points over six rounds, recovering from being knocked down in the second round.

Sonny Bill Williams on his return to boxing. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

SHOOSH

The sudden departure of veteran Sony Music CEO and chairman Denis Handlin was not just a shock to the Australian music industry. Handlin also looked after two rugby league Immortals — Andrew Johns and Mal Meninga. He also advised Johnathan Thurston.

SOCCER STUPIDITY

It could only happen in Australian soccer … the scheduling of an A-League grand final (where they play for a toilet seat) on the same day as a State of Origin game. How ridiculous.

VONNY’S DEBUT

Catch you tonight on NRL 360 at 6.30pm on Fox League for a full review of State of Origin and all the latest on the Covid lockdown effect on the competition. Yvonne Sampson makes her debut as Ben Ikin’s replacement alongside the confrontational couple of Paul Kent and James Hooper.