Latrell Mitchell earns NSW State of Origin call up as Michael Maguire makes shock move in axing TWO Sharks stars for do-or-die clash with Queensland
- Latrell Mitchell is back in the NSW squad for State of Origin
- Michael Maguire has turned to the Souths superstar
- But Sharks hero Nicho Hynes has been dropped from the game
Nicho Hynes has been dropped as NSW State of Origin halfback, with Mitch Moses, Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Edwards among the five new faces for game two.
Blues coach Michael Maguire made several big calls on Sunday night ahead of the must-win match at the MCG on June 25, with Hynes the most prominent casualty of the Blues’ Origin I defeat.
Edwards has regained his place at full-back after returning from an ankle injury for Penrith, with James Tedesco ruled out again after his last-minute return in Sydney.
Connor Watson has earned a NSW debut, giving Maguire some much-needed utility on the bench at the expense of Canberra’s Hudson Young.
Latrell Mitchell is back in the NSW squad for the second State of Origin game
Michael Maguire has turned to the South Sydney superstar after the Game One defeat
But Nicho Hynes has been dropped after failing to impress at the Accor Stadium
Cameron McInnes was also dropped after his Blues debut, with the fit-again Cameron Murray straight back into the team.
And Mitchell is set to play his first game for NSW since 2021 after being named to replace the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at centre.
Injuries have derailed Mitchell’s past two campaigns, and there were questions about his commitment to the Blues earlier this year.
But he sat alongside Maguire at an event in South Sydney on Saturday afternoon and has made it clear he wants to help NSW rally from a 1-0 deficit.
Yet it is in the halves where Maguire has made the biggest decision.
Hynes came under fire after losing to the Blues 38-10 in the series, with NSW accused of lacking luster in attack towards the end of sets.
At the same time, Moses is now three games back from a long-term foot injury and is showing some signs of being back to his best for Parramatta.
On Sunday, there were calls from Andrew Johns for Cody Walker to join Moses in the half, in a complete overhaul of the Blues’ attacking structure from Game I.
But instead, Maguire has retained faith in Jarome Luai at No. 6, with the Penrith star partnering Moses.
Maguire’s selections mean the other notable omission is Tedesco, who has been left out of the initial squad announcement for the second time in two games.
The Australian Test captain played for the Sydney Roosters in their win over the Eels on Saturday night, but admitted afterwards he expected Edwards to regain the NSW No. 1 jersey.
Matt Burton has also been dropped as the 18th man, with Mitchell Barnett, McInnes and Luke Keary all on the extended bench.