Returning superstar Latrell Mitchell has backed home state debutant Matt Burton to stay with New South Wales, but will have to change positions.
Burton enjoyed a sensational debut with the Blues in Perth on Sunday night, scoring a great try and being arguably one of the best players on the field in a 44-12 victory for the southern state.
He was wearing the No. 3 shirt that would have been Mitchell’s if it weren’t for a severe hamstring injury in April, which he has kept on the south side of Sydney ever since.
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Mitchell will finally return to action this weekend when the Rabbitohs face Parramatta in round 16 of the NRL.
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If he performs well and stays fit, it is widely achieved that he will be called up to Brad Fittler’s team for the Origin decision in Brisbane on July 13th.
This will be a major headache for the Blues coach, who also has Jack Wighton returning from COVID-19. Wighton replaced Mitchell in the center left in the first game and was one of NSW’s best players.
In an Instagram post Monday in which he talked about this dilemma, Mitchell left a comment saying, “Burton may have the number 4 (jersey).”
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The insinuation is that Mitchell plans to regain his No. 3 spot in the center left, thus creating a shootout between Burton and Stephen Crichton in the center right.
Origin coach liked to be told Mitchell’s comment.
“Is Trell a selector now?” Fittler laughed.
Latrell Mitchell’s Instagram comment that made Brad Fittler laugh. (Instagram)
“He’s a very talented guy, Latrell. I’m really looking forward to seeing him this week.”
Fittler has some important decisions to make next week, and the center is where most of his questions lie.
Burton became unstoppable with his performance in Origin II, while Wighton has never disappointed the Blues in his six games starting center in the interstate arena.
But Mitchell is arguably the winner of the most destructive game available to the Blues, and Fittler would be a brave man for not bringing the enigmatic champion to his preferred position for the third game.
The most likely scenario, at the moment, is for Stephen Crichton to lose his place in the center right after two rather tenuous departures from the Blues.
Mitchell would then get his wish that he return the No. 3 shirt and Burton move to the other side of the field.
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