Latrell Mitchell’s State of Origin replacement revealed: Michael Maguire turns to unlikely name ahead NSW vs Queensland decider in Brisbane

Bradman Best will be tasked with plugging a hole in NSW’s defence that is larger than that of Latrell Mitchell after Blues manager Michael Maguire poached the Newcastle midfielder for the deciding State of Origin match.

Best is likely to make only his second Origin appearance for the Blues after Mitchell succumbed to a foot injury in South Sydney’s win over Parramatta on Thursday.

The arrival of 22-year-old Best as centre is one of two changes Maguire is making ahead of the deciding game on July 17 at Suncorp Stadium.

Mitch Barnett replaces Haumole Olakau’atu for his NSW debut as he looks to overpower Queensland, who were unable to cope with the Blues’ relentless attacking line in Game 2 in Melbourne.

Throughout his NRL career, Barnett has shown he can cover both the midfield and fringes of the pitch.

But no one has a bigger task than Best as he fills the void left by Mitchell when he gave Queensland centre Valentine Holmes a bath at the MCG.

Best missed out on the opening leg through injury and was involved in a four-man battle for Mitchell’s shirt before Maguire named his team on Sunday evening.

The Knights centre faced stiff competition from Canterbury five-eighth player Matt Burton and Manly’s Tom Trbojevic, who returned for the Sea Eagles in their golden-point win over North Queensland on Saturday.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was the fourth and final option for Maguire, but the Sydney Roosters utility back has not played a competitive game since being sent off in the season opener for his head-high hit on Reece Walsh.

Best won his only NSW shirt in last year’s third match, when he came on for a Blues team that had already lost the series.

He showed he was not overwhelmed by the event, a quality that will be needed as the Blues bid to win a deciding match in Queensland for the first time since 2005.

“Bradman was playing exceptionally well before he got injured in round one,” Newcastle manager Adam O’Brien said after Sunday’s 16-12 win over Canberra.

“What probably works in his favour is that he’s been back for a while and has had some good performances.

“The winning form is a good form, and he certainly played very well.”

Maguire will announce the three members of the extended squad at a press conference on Monday.

Mitchell will have an appointment with a specialist in the coming days to determine whether he needs surgery on his foot.

Surgery would likely mean Mitchell would be out of the running for South Sydney’s season.