Already sidelined with a back injury, which ruled him out of the series opener, Bennett stated Mitchell is still at least one month away from returning to the field. Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. “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 II.” Speaking about Mitchell’s absence, former NSW Blues dummy-half Michael Ennis was disappointed to see him ruled out of Game 2 after finding the best form of his career during this year’s campaign. “If this time of year you just want to see your best players on the stage and the form that Latrell was in was arguably his best form in his career,” Michael
Ennis said on Fox League’s Sunday Ticket. “I was really looking forward to seeing Latrell and Tommy [Tom Trbojevic] both playing Origin this year. The record that they have together when they’re on the field for NSW is so impressive. “Disappointing for Latrell but it provides opportunity and that’s what’s exciting.” Mitchell’s former Blues teammate Tom Trbojevic added, “No player can do it like him. He’s just got that ability to go bang. Flick and switch and he’s gone.” While Mitchell has been ruled out
of Game 2, Campbell Graham will get one final audition against the Manly Sea Eagles on Thursday night as he returns from a calf injury. The update on Mitchell’s availability comes as NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley revealed to The Herald that Mitchell Moses is set to reclaim his spot in the No.6 if he proves his fitness for the Eels in next round’s clash and gets through it unscathed. This will see Ethan Strange move back to the six-man interchange bench. “I think Mitch
has proven himself at that level in the past, and he’s a very important member of the team,” Daley said. “It’s not a bad hammy, and to be fair, the doc said if he had a week to recover, he would. It was really minor. The beauty with Ethan is you can also play him anywhere, not just No. 6, but in the centres and even lock.” Originally published as Latrell Mitchell ruled out of Origin 2 as he continues recovery from back injury
Latrell Mitchell, Origin 2, Bennett, NSW Blues, Michael Ennis, Tommy Trbojevic, Campbell Graham, Manly Sea Eagles, Mitchell Moses, Laurie Daley, Ethan Strange, Eels, Parra
So he’s just… not playing? That seems wild.
A month?? Man the Origin hype is always ruined by injuries. I swear every year someone’s “rehab” like it’s no big deal lol.
Wait I thought they said he was ruled out because his back got worse, like that’s the whole point of these stories. But then it says it’s not worse it’s just taking longer, so which one is it? Sounds like PR either way.
Origin 2 is literally after Parra?? So they’re basically saying he’s done for the whole series, right? Also Campbell Graham coming back from a calf and Ethan Strange moving positions… feels like they’re just shuffling dudes around and hoping it works. I wanted to see Latrell and Tommy together too, that’s what makes NSW scary.