Five reasons Latrell Mitchell already has Queensland on edge

Latrell Mitchell has barely rated a mention this Origin series, but at least five key moments over the first two matches should have Queensland worried about “Trell Mit” heading into next Wednesday’s decider.

Mitchell was at his brutally physical best in defence in game one in Brisbane, and produced a stunning mid-air pass for Brian To’o to score.

His ability to shift the ball from right to left at blistering speed allowed To’o to score two more tries in Perth, while there was a crucial one-on-one steal late in the game that allowed the Blues to keep pushing for an unlikely comeback win.

Blues coach Laurie Daley said Queensland’s line speed had been “incredible”, and their ability to rush up in defence had prevented the Blues’ halves from getting early ball to Mitchell.

“He’s had some really good moments, we just need to try and create some more ruck speed for him,” Daley said.

“Queensland have defended really well, their line speed has been incredible – they’ve been very quick to shut us down on our edges, which has been amazing from them – but we need to find ways around that.”

King of the kids: Latrell MitchellCredit: Getty Images

Five-eighth Jarome Luai plays on the left with Mitchell, and said it was on him to try and bring out the best in the South Sydney star.

“I love playing with ‘Trell’, more than probably what I’ve told him, and we’ve seen him do some freakish stuff on the Origin arena,” Luai said.

“It’s my job to bring the best out of him, to make sure he’s in the game from the get-go, and that I keep him in the game. Part of a playmaker’s responsibility is to make sure his outside men are always in the game, they’re in the zone, and when they want the ball they get the ball.”

Fullback Dylan Edwards added: “He’s been really strong carrying the ball out of yardage, and some of his silky passes, not many people in the game can do those.

“He’s such a physical person on the field, and super humble and so kind off it. I’m excited to see how he goes next Wednesday. I’ve got no doubts he’ll be great.”

In case Billy Slater and Queensland needed a refresher, here are five moments from Origin I and Origin II where Mitchell made his mark.

Seeing Maroon

Mitchell was physical in defence from the opening whistle at Suncorp Stadium, even picking up and smashing Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans into the ground in the first half.

The Maroons send a lot of traffic down Mitchell’s left edge in an effort to tire him, but he relished the challenge.

He also came up with vital tackles on Kalyn Ponga and Xavier Coates when leading the kick-chase, and helped Edwards stop Harry Grant from burrowing over the tryline.

How did he do that?

One of the best moments of the series so far was Mitchell’s pass to To’o to score on the half hour in game one.

Queensland pair Rob Toia and Coates raced up on Mitchell, but he caught the ball and shuffled it wide in one midair motion for To’o to complete the short run to the tryline.

“That is just as good as it gets, that’s special,” Andrew Johns said on the Nine commentary.

Brad Fittler added: “The fact is Latrell when he threw that ball he was off the ground, I don’t know how he finds the strength to actually flick it through his hands that quick when he’s not even on the ground.”

Desperation play

This passage of play was completely forgotten, but it eased some of the pressure on the Blues in Perth when Queensland looked ready to blow the game wide open.

The Maroons led 12-6 in the 25th minute and marched downfield with ease before Cam Munster kicked at the end of a set. Coates leapt and kept the ball alive, and Queensland began to spread the ball back in-field. When Tom Dearden resisted a kick and passed to Toia, who failed to grasp it, Mitchell raced out of the line to dive on the ball and win back possession. It was an all-or-nothing play in the wet.

Cooper Cronk suggested on the Fox Sports commentary Toia may have spilled the ball because he had one eye on Mitchell rushing in to flatten him.

Queensland went on to lead 26-6 by half-time, but Mitchell’s eagerness helped win back a bit of field position.

To’o good

The two passes for To’o to score in the west may not have been as flashy as his final ball in Brisbane, but Mitchell’s ability to shift the ball with defenders rushing up on him was lovely to watch.

In fact, few centres would have been able to keep their composure and execute with such precision like Mitchell.

Just ask To’o, who has quickly learned to expect the unexpected when standing outside Mitchell.

“You can’t really explain it. That’s just Trell Mit showing his magic,” To’o said. “Trell brings that bit of magic out of everyone. I’m grateful to have another year playing alongside him.”

Perth strip show

Jeremiah Nanai charged the ball up in the 71st minute, was greeted by Mitchell, Luai, Crichton and Hudson Young, before the latter three peeled off and Mitchell yanked the ball from Nanai’s grasp.

He then somehow juggled the ball in his right hand before going to ground and giving NSW a golden attacking set.

Crichton was able to score a few plays later to get the Blues within two points.