NSW Blues squad named for State of Origin decider vs Qld Maroons

The NSW Blues have named their team for the State of Origin decider with one of the hottest players in the league earning a call up.

Latrell Mitchell replacement named for the NSW Blues. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The NSW Blues have made two changes to the team that dismantled the Queensland Maroons during Game 2 at the MCG.

Ahead of the State of Origin decider at at Suncorp Stadium on July 17, the Blues were dealt a cruel blow when Latrell Mitchell was ruled out after suffering a Lisfranc injury in the Rabbitohs’ Thursday night contest against the Eels.

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Mitchell was ruled out on Saturday with several candidates emerging as potential replacements in the centres.

The Blues confirmed their team on Sunday night with Bradman Best locked in as the replacement for Mitchell while Warriors prop Mitchell Barnett earnt a spot in the side after Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu was axed.

7.40pm - Blues lock in squad for decider

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To’o

3. Bradman Best

4. Stephen Crichton

5. Zac Lomax

6. Jarome Luai

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Jake Trbojevic

9. Reece Robson

10. Payne Haas

11. Liam Martin

12. Angus Crichton

13. Cameron Murray

14. Connor Watson

15. Isaah Yeo

16. Mitch Barnett

17. Spencer Leniu

Best (left) is back for the Blues. Picture: NRL Imagery

5.30pm - Legend’s plea for Best inclusion

The selection of Best comes after rugby league and Blues legend Andrew Johns called for his inclusion into the team and rubbished talk surrounding Suaalii coming back.

“It has to be Bradman,” Johns said on Channel 9’s Wide World of Sports.

“Pretty much a like for like as in powerhouse, the way he plays on that left side and he’s in great form.

“I’d go Bradman for sure, without a shadow of a doubt.

“Joseph Suaalii is a winger. I don’t see him as a centre, especially at that level where defensively you’ve got to be so in tune.

“Without a doubt, specialist centre - Bradman Best. For mine, Joseph Suallii at Origin and rep level is a winger.”