‘I wouldn’t want to be standing opposite Latrell’: Calls grow louder for Latrell Mitchell to earn NSW recall

Interim South Sydney coach Ben Hornby has doubled down on his calls for Latrell Mitchell to earn a State of Origin recall, with the Blues looking for a new left centre after rookie Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was banned for four matches for a high shot on Reece Walsh in game one.

Injuries have prevented Mitchell from representing his state since he dominated in 2021, but he’s now one of the favourites to come in for game two that the Blues must win to avoid a third series defeat in a row.

The Rabbitohs superstar hasn’t been at his brilliant best this season but has showed some moments of magic since returning from suspension.

It’s why Hornby has called on selectors to pick his fullback at left centre where he has played some of his best footy.

“I wouldn’t want to be standing opposite Latrell in Origin. My views on that haven’t changed,” he said.

“Latrell has always been determined, I don’t know why we thought he wasn’t.

“He’s so skilful and he’s so big. That’s a pretty good combination along with his speed and his fend. I know he’s looking forward to a couple of big games and hopefully putting himself in the picture.”

Mitchell isn’t the only South Sydney player in the mix for game two, with skipper Cam Murray an outside chance of returning next week from a hip flexor injury that has kept him sidelined for the past month.

Murray would be an automatic selection if fit, but Hornby says there are no guarantees that he’ll be back next week in what will be Souths’ last game played before teams are picked for the MCG showdown on June 26.

“At the moment with Cam, he’s an outside chance of playing next week,” he said.

“He’s just on a week-by-week thing at the moment. He ran well today, so if he ticks another box, then we’ll see how he goes on the weekend and then tick another box for next week.”

Meanwhile, Cowboys coach Todd Payten has confirmed Origin duo Reece Robson and Murray Taulagi will miss this weekend’s game against the Warriors.

Both are expected to return next week, with Payten to make a call on his other Origin stars closer to kick-off.