State of Origin 2018: Latrell Mitchell’s defensive capabilities come to the fore for NSW
CHOSEN for his undeniable attacking feats, Latrell Mitchell was pinpointed as a potential weak link in the NSW defence. The Sydney Roosters centre hasn’t missed a single tackle in both Origin games.
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LATRELL Mitchell, the defence rests.
Chosen for his undeniable attacking feats, the Sydney Roosters centre was pinpointed as a potential weak link in the New South Wales defence ahead of his State of Origin debut.
Despite playing opposite Australian star Will Chambers, the Sydney Roosters centre hasn’t missed a single tackle in both games this series. No one gets past him.
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Mitchell has missed just two tackles in his past five games; and only nine tackles in his last 12 matches.
He has drastically worked to eradicate the defensive deficiencies that plagued the start of his young NRL career.
Not that Mitchell wants it known that he hasn’t missed a solitary tackles in 160 minutes of the toughest form of.
“Don’t bring that up,” Mitchell said. “You’ll jinx me.”
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But there is no getting away from Mitchell’s defence.
He has made 138 tackles this season, missing just 19, for a completion rate of 88 per cent.
“That’s all I have been doing at club level, just working on my defence over the first 17 rounds,” Mitchell said.
“I also know I need to keep working hard as well. My defence was a weakness. I had missed tackles here and there.
“Defence is a mindset. It’s about movement early and tackle selection. It also comes down to hard work — I love the work.
“It’s good to know I am putting the effort in and it’s paying off. It’s good to know that you’re doing well. And it really helps a lot for my confidence and with my general game.
“A bit of weight behind me helps and put technique with it as well. I want to try and perfect my game every week and try and get better.”
Mitchell handed out special praise to Roosters defensive and wrestling coach, Craig Fitzgibbon.
“He has been helping me out,” Mitchell said.
“Every week after a game I would go and see him and see what percentage I tackled at and then really try and beat that the next week. Defence is a big thing in my game, I want to be solid at it.
“I do heaps of stuff with Craig. I am full-on with it. I don’t mind getting down and ripping.”
Mitchell will again confront Chambers on Wednesday night in Brisbane.
Chambers has run a poor second behind Mitchell in this year’s Origin series as his niggling tactics failed to rock the 21-year-old.
“It will be a good battle again,” Mitchell said. “It keeps me on my toes. He keeps me honest and hopefully I keep him honest.
“There is a good competition against each other. I always try and base my game on being dominant over my opponent.
“The whole camp has been awesome. The boys are having a good time and we’re obviously winning. That’s where you want to be — in the winner’s circle.”
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