Queensland Maroons bristle at Latrell Mitchell Origin sledge

The mind games are flying ahead of Origin 2, with a Queenslander denying a recalled Blue is in their heads.

Ben Hunt and Latrell Mitchell. Photos: Getty Images/News Corp

The mind games are flying ahead of this week’s State of Origin Game 2, with Queenslander Ben Hunt swatting back an assertion from Blues great Andrew Johns.

Latrell Mitchell, who is always a talking point, has been the most discussed prospect for the MCG clash after his NSW recall following a three-year hiatus.

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Immortal Johns is of the belief Mitchell’s return is foremost on Queensland minds, particularly right-sided defenders Daly Cherry-Evans and Valentine Holmes.

“Daly is on top of his game, but good luck tackling Latrell,” Johns said.

“Valentine Holmes is already talking it up saying he will get in Latrell’s face so he is in their heads.

“The right side of Queensland is a target. The gap between DCE and Holmes, that space between the halfback and centre, that’s where NSW will apply pressure with Angus (Crichton), Latrell, Dylan Edwards and Jarome (Luai) floating around.

Ben Hunt and Latrell Mitchell. Photos: Getty Images/News Corp

“That will be the spot they target, especially with Latrell. He is NSW’s X-factor.

“Latrell is inside their heads, it is good.”

Queensland romped to a 38-10 victory in the opening game in Sydney and can wrap up a third straight series with another win in Melbourne.

First-year NSW coach Michael Maguire has given his squad a major shake-up, with Mitchell Moses returning as halfback and Cameron Murray and debutant Connor Watson also among the changes.

Maroons hooker Ben Hunt was asked about Johns’ assertions about Mitchell in the build up to a huge second game.

“He hasn’t got into our heads at all,” said Hunt, who was part of the Queensland side that lost to Mitchell and the Blues back in 2021.

“We have done preparation on him, like you would on any good player.

“There’s a lot of guys in that team who are going to hurt us as well, so we can’t just go into a State of Origin match completely worried about one player.”

Hunt did acknowledge, however, the South Sydney wrecking ball is a threat to another Maroons series victory.

“He is a huge threat,” Hunt said. “We know what Latrell is capable of and what he has done in the Origin arena.

“We will have our hands pretty full trying to hang onto him, so we need to be very disciplined in the way we defend him.

Mitchell has flourished on the Origin stage in the past. Photo: Nathan Hopkins / NRL Photos

Johns is picking Latrell to have a huge impact in Game 2. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“We have to defend him as a team because if we give him any bit of room he is going to hurt us.

“We need to defend really well.”

Ever the NSW optimist, Johns believes Mitchell is primed to showcase his best at the MCG.

“You can get him one-on-one, it doesn’t matter,” Johns said.

“He burns them, you get two defenders on him, he burns them. Just give him the ball.

“Latrell is a big-game player. He has copped so much this year and the last couple of years.

“All eyes are on Latrell. The bigger the stage, the more the pressure, the more eyes on him, the better he goes.”