‘The final decision was always his’: Fittler knew Mitchell had doubts

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Latrell Mitchell never had complete confidence in his injured calf from the moment he entered NSW camp.

Mitchell has ruled himself out of Origin for a second time this year and informed coach Brad Fittler just after lunch on Thursday.

Fittler quickly elevated Stephen Crichton to the starting centres, and picked Matt Burton ahead of Nicho Hynes because there was already a back-up hooker on the bench.

“When Latrell messaged me I knew straight away it was not to go for a sprint or a run up the Coogee stairs,” Fittler told this masthead on Friday.

“From the start I don’t think Latrell ever had the level of confidence that was needed [in his calf].

“Between South Sydney and our physio [Dan Lawson] and the way they worked together, we were going to give him every chance.

Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out a second timeCredit: Brook Mitchell/SMH

“The final decision was always going to be with Latrell’s. After Wednesday’s session, he realised he wouldn’t get through Friday or be where he needed to be. The timing was perfect from the point of view of a player putting the team first.

“‘Critta’ [Crichton] hasn’t missed a minute of training. He’s fit. But you lose one of the best players. It’s as simple as that.”

Mitchell spent Thursday morning with Blues teammate Josh Addo-Carr, who detected some rare self-doubt in his good mate for the first time after Wednesday’s rehabilitation run.

Addo-Carr hopes the Blues can win next Wednesday and then try to seal the series back on home turf, with a fit Mitchell ready to pounce in game three.

NSW halfback Mitchell Moses.Credit: Brook Mitchell

Bookies reacted to the Mitchell news by tightening Queensland’s odds from $1.55 to $1.40.

Nine, publishers of this masthead, had planned to dedicate a camera on Mitchell the entire game, which was dubbed ‘Trellavision’, but will now use Mitchell Moses.

Mitchell, who turned 26 on Friday, injured his calf on the Sunday night before Origin I. Souths said he could have played seven days later had it been an NRL final, but the star fullback and centre will now be working overtime to play for his club on Sunday week against North Queensland.

Crichton has trained all week at left centre while Burton was given the nod ahead of Hynes for good reason.

The Blues had the option to play Burton ahead of Hynes in the centres once Tom Trbojevic was brought from Adelaide Oval late as a result of a high shot that led to Tom Flegler being put in the bin and placed on report.

“We did know that rule, and Nicho is a right-sided player, he defends there, which is why we played him that night,” Fittler said. “Had we needed a left centre, we would have leaned towards Burto. This time we didn’t need cover for a hooker, which Nicho had the ability to do. Burto is more of a centre and five-eighth, so it made more sense to bring him in.”

Crichton was one of the Blues’ best, and Fittler liked the fact he made Queensland work hard in defence.

“He’s an effort player, and you know what, if a couple of things come to hand and we’re a bit better with our timing and execution in game one, we score a few more tries [in Adelaide]; I’ve got plenty of faith in him,” Fittler said.

Because the Blues started their camp 24 hours after Queensland, they will remain in camp over the weekend before flying to Brisbane on Monday.

Cameron Murray (groin) and Liam Martin (concussion) are being monitored, but expected to be cleared to play. Murray was excellent with his leg speed and quick play-the-balls off the bench, while Martin was a physical force in defence.

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