- Latrell Mitchell reacts to Blues loss in game one
- Joseph Sua’ali’i will certainly miss the next Origin match
- Many are calling for Mitchell to return to the Blues side
Calls are growing for a return to the South Sydney Blues Origin side after Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off in Wednesday night’s series opener.
In a horror start to Michael Maguire’s tenure as NSW coach, Suaalii lasted just seven minutes on debut before being sent off for a late and high goal on Reece Walsh.
The shot made him the fastest man to be sent off in Origin history and it immediately ruled Walsh out of the rest of game one as he was knocked out cold in horrific scenes that saw his eyes roll back in his head and the fingers of his left hand. writhing in a sure sign that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury.
The Roosters star has been handed a four-match ban for the tackle, meaning he will certainly miss game two and possibly – due to his plans to switch to rugby union – never play against Origin again.
Joseph Sua’ali’i (pictured) played possibly his last ever Origin match after the center was hit with a four-match ban for his high shot on Reece Walsh
Latrell Mitchell (pictured) posted a thoughtful pose on social media as he watched the Blues get blown out of the park in the first Origin match
Mitchell, who has not played against Origin since 2021, is playing well for the Rabbitohs and watched the match from home last night after dining out with his wife Brielle at Sydney’s famous Mr Wong restaurant.
Showing he hasn’t lost his sense of humor, Mitchell posted a photo of himself on social media, wearing a thoughtful expression as he watched NSW get steamrolled.
Mitchell has previously said he ‘bleeds blue’ despite not being included in the squad, and many are now calling for him to be brought back into the fold for Game 2 in Melbourne.
“This is so funny Latrell Mitchell YOU are a NSW Blue in game 2,” a fan commented on Mitchell’s pose on Instagram.
“Considering a Qlder Latrell is probably the most intimidating NSW player they could pick, glad he wasn’t selected for game one, hope they don’t pick him for game 2,” another replied.
‘I always thought he should have been on the team. I don’t care how his club footy goes, that man was made for Origin,” replied another.
‘Going to bed disappointed again as a Blues supporter. Cleary, Moses is just the start if he’s fit. Could be the perfect opportunity for Latrell to enter the centers as a tenant,” said another.
Queensland legend Cooper Cronk spoke about the impact Mitchell could have ahead of Wednesday night’s opener.
Mitchell and his wife were dining at Mr Wong restaurant in Sydney before the Origin opener
Mitchell has stated that he ‘bleeds blue’ and no one can deny his passion for the game
‘I understand why he’s not in the team. “You can’t go down the path of picking (Dylan) Edwards and (Cameron) McInnes and then picking Latrell because that’s different from the way you build your team,” he said.
“But if Latrell puts it together, there’s almost no one who can stop him. But Latrell needs to be in the right head space to play in the big moments and Madge has clearly had a conversation to think that’s not the case.”