NSW coach Brad Fittler swings selection axe ahead of Origin II, Latrell Mitchell a star casualty
Latrell Mitchell has been sensationally axed by NSW coach Brad Fittler, paying the price for a poor series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
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One loss, four points, seven changes.
A usually jovial NSW coach Brad Fittler on Sunday night showed a rarely seen ruthless streak when he dumped some of rugby league’s biggest stars for NSW’s must-win State of Origin match in Perth on Sunday night.
Not giving a damn about reputations, Fittler tore apart the team that lost game one 18-14 in Brisbane with Sydney Roosters star centre Latrell Mitchell among the mass casualty list.
Fittler has included seven new faces — Blake Ferguson, Tom Trbojevic, James Maloney, Daniel Saifiti, Dale Finucane, Tariq Sims and Wade Graham.
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Mitchell, Josh Morris, Cody Walker and Angus Crichton were dumped while David Klemmer, Nick Cotric and Payne Haas were unavailable through injury.
Mitchell’s axing was stunning given he is rated among the best players in rugby league. A two-try performance for the Roosters on Sunday was not enough for Mitchell, who struggled in game one.
“It was the hardest thing I have had to do,” Fittler said. “I hope he gets his smile and swagger back and it won’t be too long before he is back playing rep footy.
“We had expectations up at Suncorp and he most probably didn’t meet those expectations. We need to win — simple as that. We need to make it happen.”
Former NSW forward Willie Mason was angry at Mitchell’s demise, tweeting: “Surely a gee-up if Latrell Mitchell is dropped. Weird who we’re loyal to.”
Newcastle halfback Mitchell Pearce, expected to be named, wasn’t considered through hip and quad injuries. Penrith halves Maloney and Nathan Cleary have now been reunited with NSW.
“Freddie gave me a buzz and asked if I was ready to go. I said: ‘Yes, I am, let’s do it’. I’m pretty excited,” Maloney said.
“I’m stoked to be back, I always love pulling the jersey on.”
Fittler added: “It’s great to have Jimmy back in camp. It doesn’t take long for Jimmy to warm to everyone. Already the place has a different personality. His last two games have been great.”
Finucane and Saifiti will make their NSW debuts while Wighton has been named at centre despite playing five-eighth for Canberra. Wighton and Maloney, who previously played together for Country, will play on the same edge.
Trbojevic will play centre, a position where he excelled when representing Australia last year. He ran for 333 metres for Manly against St George Illawarra on Sunday.
Sharks champion Graham is back in blue despite playing just two games — and a total of only 88 minutes — back from a knee injury.
“I’m grateful to be back in this arena,” said Graham.
Ferguson’s recall has been amazing while Saifiti only made his NRL debut in 2016.
Maloney didn’t have a care in the world on Sunday as he posed for photos, cooked a barbecue and signed autographs at a low-key Panthers fun day in the morning. Moments later, he suddenly had the weight of a state on his slight shoulders.
“The simple thing with Jimmy is that he’s been there, done that. He’s played in grand finals, won State of Origins series, he’s been in losing Origin series. You know what you’re going to get,” said former NSW five-eighth, Mark Gasnier.
“He is a competitor. You know what? If I had to pick Jimmy’s biggest strength is that he’s cool under pressure. He is good at selecting the right option under pressure.
Former NSW prop Craig Young — one of the hardest to ever play rugby league — was full of praise for Saifiti, saying: “There is only way to find out (if he is tough enough for Origin).
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“You can speculate all you like but there is only one way to find out, throw him in there. He plays NRL week in, week out, and obviously more than holding his own.”
Sims has been strong all season in an underachieving Dragons side. NSW will fly out for Perth at 8.25am on Monday morning.
NSW TEAM
1. James Tedesco, 2. Blake Ferguson, 3. Tom Trbojevic, 4. Jack Wighton, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. James Maloney, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Tyson Frizell, 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Dale Finucane, 15. Tariq Sims, 16. Cameron Murray, 17. Wade Graham
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