- Mitchell misses Origin deciding match with foot injury
- Souths superstar could miss remainder of NRL season
- Mitchell was a standout for NSW in the second game at the MCG
NSW Blues and Rabbitohs fans have been left shocked by confirmation that star striker Latrell Mitchell will miss the deciding match of the State of Origin series in Brisbane – and potentially the remainder of his NRL season.
Mitchell suffered the foot injury during the Rabbitohs’ win over Parramatta on Thursday night, but he played on despite the pain.
On Sunday, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Mitchell will be out for at least the next month due to an injury to Lisfranc.
The 27-year-old is reportedly set to undergo further scans this week to determine the severity of the injury and whether he will be sidelined for the entire season.
Players such as Newcastle’s Bradman Best, Canterbury’s Matt Burton and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic have been mentioned as possible replacements.
Sea Eagles star Trbojevic failed to impress against the Cowboys on Saturday night after returning from a hamstring injury.
Former NSW Blues mainstay Steve Roach believes it would be a big decision to send Trbojevic straight back into the Blues squad given he has been sidelined for almost two months.
“That’s a big question for Tommy Turbo if Latrell is out, and it looks like he’s going to be out, to get back in that [NSW] “After one game I was completely gone,” Roach said on Fox League.
Latrell Mitchell (pictured) confirmed to miss State of Origin deciding match later this month
Bunnies superstar has suffered an injury to Lisfranc and could miss the rest of the season
‘Let’s not forget Bradman Best, a genuine left midfielder…I think he can come into the equation now. He’s in form, let’s give him a chance.’
Sydney Roosters star Joseph Suaalii could also return to Michael Maguire’s team after serving a four-match suspension for his late foul on Reece Walsh during the season opener in Sydney on June 5.
Mitchell had found good form in recent weeks with South Sydney, where the Rabbitohs won five consecutive NRL games in the battle for a place in the finals.
He was also a standout for the Blues during their 38-18 victory at the MCG in the second leg.
“It’s been a long time. I love playing Origin. I bleed blue and I’m glad to be back,” Mitchell said after the match in Melbourne.
With the series now level at 1-1, the deciding match between NSW and Queensland will be played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, July 17.
Queensland coach Billy Slater is chasing his third straight series win, with NSW last winning the interstate shield in 2021.