South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has revealed they’re not expecting Latrell Mitchell back until Round 17 at the earliest, officially ruling him out of State of Origin 2. Mitchell suffered a back injury in Round 9 against Newcastle, but returned in Round 11 after a week off.
However he aggravated the bulging disk issue against the Dolphins and was forced to miss Origin 1 for NSW. Souths were initially hopeful he’d be back in Round 14 next week, which would have put him in line to be available for Origin 2.
Latrell Mitchell is officially out of State of Origin 2.
(Bradley Kanaris)
But Bennett revealed on Sunday that Mitchell’s progress isn’t coming along like they would have expected. The Rabbitohs coach said Mitchell is now targeting a Round 17 return against Parramatta, which is the final round before teams are picked for Origin 3.
“His back is no worse, it’s just taken a little longer to rehab, that’s all,” Bennett told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He won’t be picked in Origin. He won’t be back until we play Parra, which is after Origin 2.”
Latrell Mitchell’s back injury will keep him out for five weeks.
(Hannah Peters via Getty Images)
It looked like Stephen Crichton was facing the axe from the Origin opener if Mitchell was fit to play, but the Bulldogs skipper retained his spot when Latrell was ruled out. Crichton will now keep his spot for Origin 2 alongside fellow centre Kotoni Staggs.
Laurie Daley will need to decide whether Tolu Koula retains his place on the left wing without playing a game before Origin 2. Koula was concussed by the hit that saw Kayln Ponga sent off, ruling him out of Manly’s only two games before Origin 2. Casey McLean was fantastic when he came off the bench to replace Koula and might have done enough to earn a start.
Blayke Brailey also ruled out of State of Origin 2
Mitchell is the second NSW player to be ruled out of Origin 2 after bench hooker Blayke Brailey broke his arm on Friday night. Daley revealed on Saturday that Api Koroisau, Connor Watson and Wayde Egan are all in the mix to fill Brailey’s spot.
In better news for Daley and the Blues, Mitch Moses is expected to be named for Parramatta next weekend before Origin 2. Moses was ruled out of Origin 1 at the last minute due to a hamstring injury suffered in camp.
If he’s fit to play Origin 2, Daley will face a tricky decision with Ethan Strange. The Canberra five-eighth was fantastic in the Blues’ victory in Game 1, but might have to revert back to the bench if Daley wants Moses in the starting No.6 spot.