Mitchell set for Blues recall, Johns wants Walker there

Scott Bailey |

Latrell Mitchell is poised to return to the NSW State of Origin team for the first time since 2021 as Michael Maguire prepares to make several changes in a bid to keep the series alive.

Maguire will on Sunday night reveal his team for the must-win Origin II in Melbourne, with several crucial calls looming in the halves and backline.

Mitchell’s return to the Blues side will be the one forced change, with the South Sydney star to be picked at centre in place of the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

The Rabbitohs fullback starred in Friday night’s win over Brisbane, and spent Saturday sitting alongside Maguire at a South Sydney 2014 premiership function.

Maguire’s next big call is in the halves.

Nicho Hynes’ game-one performance has come under heavy scrutiny, with questions over his polish in attack at Accor Stadium.

The most likely scenario remains that Mitch Moses is called in to replace Hynes, partnering five-eighth Jarome Luai.

Blues legend Andrew Johns on Sunday backed calls for Moses’ return, but also advocated for Cody Walker to replace Luai given his chemistry with Mitchell on the left. 

Cody Walker
The club connection between Cody Walker (pictured) and Latrell Mitchell could help fire the Blues. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

“I’d go with Cody (at five-eighth), Latrell on the left with Cody,” Johns said on the Nine Network’s Sunday Footy Show.

“And Mitchell Moses (at halfback). It’s nothing on Jarome’s form, it’s just combinations. 

“Mitch Moses and Cody Walker complement each other far better than a Moses-Luai combination.”

Former NSW coach Brad Fittler backed Johns’ stance, which came less than 24 hours after Moses put in an influential display for Parramatta against the Sydney Roosters.

Mitch Moses.
Mitch Moses should be a shoo-in for inclusion in the NSW Origin squad, says Andrew Johns. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

The fullback spot is again expected to command attention, with Dylan Edwards to return on Sunday from the ankle injury that cost him an Origin debut in game one.

James Tedesco sent a final reminder on Saturday of what he can offer when he starred for the Roosters against the Eels, playing a hand in three tries.

But even the former captain has conceded Edwards will likely take the No.1 jersey off him. 

Tedesco was initially axed for the series opener before Edwards’ injury opened an opportunity.

“If Dyl is fit and plays, he goes back in,” Tedesco said.

“That’s the way I see it. But we saw in the first game anything can happen, so we’ll see.”

As well as changes to the NSW spine and backline, Maguire will also need to make a call on whether to play a utility on the bench in place of Hudson Young or Haumole Olakau’atu.

Matt Burton is one option to join the 17 after being 18th man for Origin I, while Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson is the other alternative.

Beyond that, Maguire must decide whether to return Cameron Murray to the Blues back row or bench, with the South Sydney captain having overcome a hip injury.

If Murray was to be included, it would likely be at the expense of Young, Olakau’atu or game one debutant Cameron McInnes.

POSSIBLE NSW SIDE FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II: 

Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Stephen Crichton, Latrell Mitchell, Zac Lomax, Jarome Luai, Mitch Moses, Payne Haas, Reece Robson, Jake Trbojevic, Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Cameron Murray. Bench: Matt Burton/Connor Watson, Isaah Yeo, Spencer Leniu, Haumole Olakau’atu.   

AAP