Brad Fittler backs Latrell Mitchell but says he lacks motivation

NSW coach Brad Fittler admitted Latrell Mitchell’s mind wasn’t on the job against Queensland but said that after a huge year, the Roosters superstar deserves to be cut some slack.

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NSW coach Brad Fittler says Latrell Mitchell needs to work on his motivation, conceding even his NRL side the Sydney Roosters “aren’t happy” with their representative centre.

After dominating State of Origin last year, Mitchell was largely ineffectual in Wednesday night’s 18-14 series-opening loss to Queensland, running for just 76 metres over eight runs and being part of the Blues’ struggling left-edge defence.

It continued a lethargic few weeks for one of the NRL’s genuine stars.

But Fittler has urged critics to “cut him some slack” and backed Mitchell to bounce back before Origin II in Perth on June 23.

Mitchell suffered an unusually flat performance. Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

“I know they’re not that happy at the Roosters and there’s a lot going on in his life at the moment with managers,” Fittler said.

“There always seems to be something other than footy.

“He obviously needs to work on his motivation.”

Former NSW coach Phil Gould was another vocal critic of Mitchell’s, questioning his attitude during Channel 9’s game coverage.

Fittler though, was staunch in his support of Mitchell, who is unlikely to play in the Roosters game against Penrith this Sunday at Panthers Stadium.

“I don’t think he’ll play this week. He wasn’t at his best (on Wednesday night), that’s fair to say,” Fittler said.

“He’s a superstar, we all want him out there playing. It will be interesting. There are two weeks to go (before Origin II selection).”

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Mitchell’s defensive combination with Cody Walker lacked cohesion as Dane Gagai scored two tries down their side, while two interventions from winger Josh Addo-Carr also saved the pair’s blushes.

“One thing you have to understand is he’s young, he played in a winning Origin series last year, played for Australia, won a grand final. You have to give some people a break,” Fittler said.

“He’ll go through these times while he’s young. The nature of State of Origin, you need to be at your best. He can do such brilliant things, sometimes that might mask other parts of his game.

“I think he said after that night he scored three tries (against Wests Tigers in round eight) he needs to bring the ball out of trouble. He’s coming off a huge year, he’s a young bloke so I can cut him some slack.

“We’ve had a chat about where he’s at.’’

It’s easy to forget how young the Blues star still is. Image: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Walker also endured a rough debut and was replaced midway through the second half.

her returned to the field before full-time but is now fighting to retain his place for Perth. A task made even more difficult because he won’t play for South Sydney against Newcastle on Friday night.

“But they’ll have at least one game to impress,” Fittler said

“We spoke about that, when you’re coming off a loss, you need to go back and play good for your club.

“You can’t dawdle back into the team, you have to come back confident.

Cody Walker is now under pressure to prove he is Origin quality. Image: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“I haven’t had the chance to watch the game yet. You go through things you’re not really 100 per cent clear about.

“There were times I thought we looked stronger and in total control, but we never nailed those moments. There were periods in the first half where we didn’t take advantage of a lot of the good stuff our players were doing.

“Overall they (Walker and halfback Nathan Cleary) have another couple of games to impress.”

Fittler denied suggestions he muddled the interchange by leaving prop David Klemmer on for the opening 53 minutes.

Late in the game, Klemmer, Walker and Paul Vaughan were on the bench at the same time.

“If anything I thought that was the part we did well, when Jake (Trbojevic) came back on.

“We seemed to lose some shape when he was off. Cam Murray was outstanding. Payne [Haas] was our fastest forward out there, and if you look at his defence, 35 tackles in limited time with no misses,” he said.

“I thought if anything I thought our interchange worked really well. Klem was awesome. There was a period he could have come back on … we were chasing points and there were other options, better tryscoring (options).”