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5 months ago
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Calls are growing for South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell to be brought back into the Blues Origin side after Joseph Sua'ali'i was sent from the field in the series opener on Wednesday night.
In a horror start to Michael Maguire's tenure as NSW coach, Suaalii lasted just seven minutes on debut before being sent off for a late and high hit on Reece Walsh.
The shot made him the fastest man sent off in Origin history and it immediately ruled Walsh out of the rest of game one, as he was knocked out cold in horrific scenes that saw his eyes roll back in his head and the fingers on his left hand contort in a sure sign he suffered a traumatic brain injury.
The Roosters star has been hit with a four-game ban for the tackle, meaning he will definitely miss game two and possibly - because of his plans to switch to rugby union - never play Origin again.
Joseph Sua'ali'i (pictured) might have played his last Origin match ever after the centre was hit with a four-game suspension for his high shot on Reece Walsh
Latrell Mitchell (pictured) posted a thoughtful pose to social media as he watched the Blues get blown off the park in the first Origin match
Mitchell, who hasn't played Origin since 2021, has been playing well for the Rabbitohs and was watching last night's game from home after going out to dinner with his wife Brielle at Sydney's famous Mr Wong restaurant.
Showing that he still hasn't lost his sense of humour, Mitchell posted a photo of himself to social media showing him wearing a thoughtful expression as he watched NSW get steamrolled.
Mitchell has previously said that he 'bleeds blue' despite not being picked in the squad, and many are now calling for him to be brought back into the fold for Game 2 in Melbourne.
'This is so funny Latrell Mitchell YOU are a NSW blue in game 2,' posted one fan reacting to Mitchell's pose on Instagram.
'As a qlder latrell is probs the most intimidating nsw player they could pick, happy he wasn't selected for game one, hope they don't pick him game 2,' replied another.
'Always thought he should have been in the team. I don't care how his club footy is going, that man is made for Origin,' replied another.
'Going to bed disappointed again as a Blues supporter. Cleary, Moses just the start if fit. Could be the perfect opportunity for Latrell to renter origin in the centres,' posted another.
Queensland legend Cooper Cronk spoke about the impact that Mitchell could have before Wednesday night's opener.
Mitchell and his wife were dining at Sydney restaurant Mr Wong before the Origin opener
Mitchell has stated that he 'bleeds blue' and nobody can deny his passion for the game
'I get why he's not (in the team). You can't go down that path of picking (Dylan) Edwards and (Cameron) McInnes and then picking Latrell because that goes away from the way you're setting up your team,' he said.
'But when Latrell puts it together there's hardly anyone that can stop him. But Latrell needs to be in the right headspace for him to play in the big moments and obviously Madge has had a conversation to think that he's not.'
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