Sport Confidential: Latrell Mitchell available to play for Blues, Bulldogs keen on Angus Crichton

Latrell Mitchell has put his hand up to play for NSW, Payne Haas has court date set and the most improved player in the English Super League is heading to Australia. All in SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Latrell Mitchell runs during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session at Coogee Oval on May 23, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Latrell Mitchell has made himself available for an Origin return should NSW coach Michael Maguire pick the South Sydney fullback.

There has been conjecture surrounding Mitchell’s availability but it is understood he has told those close to him that he wants to play for NSW despite suggestions otherwise. Despite putting up his hand, it is unclear if Maguire will pick Mitchell to partner Stephen Crichton at centre with that position among the most contentious for the NSW coach.

Latrell Mitchell has made himself available for Origin. Picture: Getty Images

The likes of Matt Burton, Jesse Ramien and Zac Lomax are in contention for that vacant centre position.

There has also been plenty of feedback surrounding Mitchell’s form this year. But he has been strong since his comeback from suspension.

Statistics obtained by this column show that Mitchell has six try involvements in the past two weeks the most of any fullback in the past fortnight. Newcastle rookie David Armstrong was next best with five.

COURT DATE SET FOR HAAS

Payne Haas is about to face one of the most challenging months of his NRL career.

The Brisbane prop is certain to be named in the NSW State of Origin side on Sunday night at a time when his father Gregor is in prison in the Philippines after being arrested on drug trafficking charges.

Payne Haas, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Gregor Haas is facing extradition to Indonesia, where he could face the death penalty. Haas has remarkably continued to star for the Broncos despite the drama and will be one of the first players picked when Blues coach Michael Maguire sits down to name his side for Origin I.

Haas also has his own legal issues to worry about.

Two days after the opening Origin game, Haas’ longstanding legal fight with his former manager Chris Orr will return to the courts for pre-trial directions.

The pair have been at odds for almost two years over the breakdown of their relationship, with Haas suing his former agent and Orr launching a counterclaim against Haas.

The matter is on the verge of heading to trial.

BULLDOGS SET SIGHTS ON ROOSTERS FORWARD

Angus Crichton is hot property in the NRL and now the Bulldogs have taken an interest in the representative forward as they ask to be kept informed about the progress of his talks with the Sydney Roosters.

Crichton, off contract at the end of the season, looked destined for French rugby union but his resurgent form for the Roosters has prompted interest from a host of NRL clubs.

The Bulldogs are among them. Sport Con’s spies spotted Crichton’s manager David Rawlings at a cafe with Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould and recruitment boss Peter Sharp earlier this week, heightening talk they were interested in Crichton.

It is understood the talks weren’t solely centred around Crichton’s future, although Gould and Sharp asked to be kept abreast of negotiations.

The Bulldogs are chasing Angus Crichton. Picture: NRL Photos

The Roosters remain confident they will retain Crichton, although his price tag is rising each and every time he pulls on a Tricolours jersey.

In a bid to free up salary cap space, the Roosters have given Sitili Tupouniua permission to explore the market. Tupouniua is expected to make a call on his future in the coming weeks.

The Bulldogs will be watching closely to see what impact it has on Crichton’s future.

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Jack Bird had no idea his commemorative 150th jersey had been misspelt before he was inundated with messages after full-time.

The embroidery on Bird’s jersey was written as ‘Dargons’ which created headlines following his celebration match against Cronulla earlier this month.

Bird has since had a chuckle about the gaffe.

“I didn’t realise before the game,” Bird said.” I got a message after the game from one of my mates saying, ‘What about your jumper’.

“It didn’t bother me too much. It was something easy to fix. I got another jumper made up. It caught the media’s eye. It was a bit of a mess up but that happens in life.

“I still have the ‘Dargons’ jersey. I got a new one made up. I got two jerseys for the price of one.”

The club were apologetic for the error but Bird has seen the funny side. So much so he is planning to wear a ‘Dargons’ T-shirt on a night out.

“One of my other mates sent me a photo of the ‘Up the Dargons’ T-shirt and he said he was going to buy that for us one night when we go out.

“It’s a bit of a joke. It’s pretty funny. I see the funny side of it. From the club’s point of view, they were a bit upset. It didn’t bother me too much.”

Jack Bird has put the 'Dargons' issue behind him.

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North Queensland have signed Kai O’Donnell from next season with the ex-Raider returning to the NRL.

O’Donnell played the last of his four NRL games in 2020 at the Raiders.

He switched to the English competition in 2022 and after three seasons with Leigh will return to Australia next year.

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FLASHBACK: NSW woke up heartbroken on this day 30 years ago after Queensland snatched a famous victory with Mark Coyne’s memorable try. Peter Frilingos summed it up best: “The fat lady had already sung NSW’s State of Origin victory song with under a minute left on the clock at the SFS last night. The only problem was the never-say-die Queenslanders didn’t hear it and somehow found the energy to score a match winning try of miraculous proportions.”

On this day 30 years ago.

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Boo Bailey: It's a funny game.

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The hottest property in the English Super League is heading to the NRL.

Warrington back rower Matty Nicholson has told his club that he wants to move to Australia next season, sparking a race to secure the signature of a player who has thrived under Sam Burgess this season.

Sport Con understands that his Australian manager Liam Ayoub has been contacted by at least five clubs expressing an interest in signing Nicholson, who has one year remaining on his contract but is believed to be available for a minor transfer fee.

Nicholson, an edge back rower, is only 20 but has been a fixture in the Warrington side this season under Burgess, helping them into a share of the Super League lead.

NRL clubs have been monitoring him for some time but Nicholson knocked back interest in 2022 while at Wigan as a teenager.

He opted instead to join Warrington to play more Super League. That move has paid off with NRL interest spiking in the two years he has been at the Wolves.

Clubs are now ready to make their move after Nicholson informed Burgess that he covets a switch to the NRL. Nicholson also played one Test for England last year and will join the swelling English ranks in Australia.

Canberra have been a home for English players in recent years and with Elliott Whitehead’s potential retirement, Nicholson shapes as an ideal replacement.

Newcastle have also looked to England in the past year while former St Helens coach Kristian Woolf is about to take over at St Helens next season.

St Helens star Lewis Dodd will join South Sydney next year.

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Ryan Papenhuyzen underwent scans on Wednesday on his broken leg and received positive results from his surgeon, confirming he could be ready to resume running in less than a fortnight and return to play in mid-June.

What a boost that would be for the Storm after the devastating news that five-eighth Cameron Munster would be out of action for three months with a groin injury.

Papenhuyzen hasn’t played since suffering a fracture to his leg last month on the Gold Coast, when the plate from a previous injury pushed up against the bone.

The surgeons opened the old scar, kept the old plate in and added a smaller one above it. The good news is that the injury is healing well and Papenhuyzen could be back in a matter of weeks – if not against the Warriors in round 15, than against the Dolphins in round 16

“Once I start moving again, I will get a good gauge” Papenhuyzen said.

“Right now, it is not sore, it is in a pretty good spot. Mentally it was tough in the first few days after.

“I went to Sydney and it was probably a wake-up call with how I was mentally. I have spoken to the people I need to speak to and got my head in a good space again.

“As the injury gets a bit more positive, so does the mental space.”

In Papenhuyzen’s absence, Su’A Faalogo has worn the No.1 jersey and more than held his own. Faalogo has been outstanding and with Munster sidelined, Papenhuyzen adds another quality player to their backline stocks.

Tyran Wishart will get first shot at replacing Munster but Papenhuyzen spent some time at five-eighth in the pre-season and gives coach Craig Bellamy another option, which would also allow Bellamy to keep Faalogo in the side.

“Seeing what Sue is doing, I am just proud of him,” Papenhuyzen said.

“He works hard and he is a humble kid. I feel he is in our best 17 somewhere, we just have to find a spot now. Craig will have some decisions to make when I come back.”

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Lehi Hopoate is the fifth sibling to play NRL.

Lehi Hopoate is about to become the fifth sibling in the Hopoate family to play in the NRL and NRLW after the 19-year-old was called into the Manly side for Friday night’s game against Melbourne.

Hopoate is a fullback by trade and has spent the week training at the back with Tolu Koula sidelined.

However, Manly coach Anthony Seibold is keeping his cards close to his chest on where Hopoate will fit in against the Storm has be looks to ease pressure on the teenager ahead of a memorable debut.

Regardless of where he play, it shapes as a historic night for rugby league’s most prolific footballing dynasty.

Will, Jamil, Albert and Kalosipani have already made their mark in the NRL and NRLW. Now it is the turn of Lehi, who signed a three-year contract in the off-season that made him part of the club’s top 30 squad.

“We’ll have a look at what position he plays today,” Seibold said.

“He’s played multiple positions in second grade, Reuben Garrick can play multiple positions, so we’ll look at that today and make a decision after training.

“He’s a pretty special young kid. He did the pre-season with us, he did such a good job that we took him over to Vegas with us for the experience … Lehi is a young guy who will bring plenty of energy.”

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Club York is a finalist in the Clubs and Community Awards for its role in reviving Australia’s oldest rugby league club. The Glebe Dirty Reds were resurrected in 2017 after an 87-year hiatus and are now a feeder side for the Roosters’ NSW Cup team. Ex-NRL and Super League forward Kane Evans has played for the side this year.