Updated ,first published
NSW have suffered a huge blow with Latrell Mitchell ruling himself out of Origin I with a back injury.
Mitchell failed to finish Friday night’s loss against the Dolphins, but coach Wayne Bennett and Souths officials were confident on Saturday that he would be fit for Blues’ selection for the series opener at Accor Stadium on May 27.
The 28-year-old woke up on Sunday feeling sore and then removed himself from the Origin conversation for the sake of both the Blues and Souths. Coach Laurie Daley on Sunday confirmed Mitchell was out of contention.
The Mitchell scratching left Daley and his team frantically assessing their left-centre options, which include Penrith’s Casey McLean, Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs and Manly’s Tolu Koula, who can also cover fullback and wing.
Bradman Best was deep in the Origin conversation, but he was ruled out on Saturday with a calf injury.
In better news for the Blues, Canterbury captain Stephen Crichton is set to retain his place at right centre, despite featuring in a misfiring Bulldogs team that has lost five games in a row.
Daley will announce his squad for the first match of the series at 7.30am on Monday.
There were still positions up in the air as Magic Round drew towards a close on Sunday night.
Among the biggest selection issues to be resolved is the fullback’s spot, with Panthers incumbent Dylan Edwards and former Blues captain James Tedesco both having strong claims.
Other places in the NSW side that remain under question include who will join Penrith’s Brian To’o as the two wingers and the composition of both the forward pack and the interchange bench.
Clubs were told that players chosen would receive a phone call from Daley after the Panthers-Dragons clash. Clubs with players selected would then be contacted by Blues football manager Frank Ponissi.
Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga, meanwhile, said he was prepared to take on any role for Queensland amid speculation he would be chosen as the Maroons halfback.
“I’ll play anywhere,” Ponga said. “I know what I’m like, when I get my head on I get excited by challenges.
“Obviously, fullback is my position but like I said I’ll play anywhere for Queensland.”
Ponga played two games in the No.7 jersey for former club North Queensland in the old under-20s competition in 2016 and 2017 but has not worn the jersey since.
Picking him there would allow the Maroons to include either Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow or Reece Walsh at fullback.
Crichton had been in danger of losing his NSW spot amid Canterbury’s drastic slide, but the Blues are poised to keep the faith in the three-time Penrith premiership winner.
The 25-year-old has played in the last 12 State Origin games for NSW.
While he has been dealing with a shoulder injury and indifferent form, Crichton’s experience and defensive clout are still highly valued by Daley.
Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses are expected to be chosen in the Blues halves, with Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange favourite to get the nod as cover and a utility on the bench in what would be his maiden State Origin call-up.
In the forwards, captain Isaah Yeo is set to be joined by Cameron Murray, who missed last year’s series with an Achilles injury, and back-rowers Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu.
The Raiders have had the bye in Magic Round, so Young could not press his case any further, but Olakau’atu’s bid for a recall after two years became almost undeniable with a destructive performance for Manly against the Wests Tigers on Saturday.
Reece Robson, who has been the Blues hooker for the past eight State of Origin games, is likely to extend his run in the representative arena.
Cronulla’s Addin Fonua-Blake is also tipped to win a place in the front row, where NSW will be without the injured Payne Haas.
Under the rules, the 20th player for NSW and Queensland will each return to their club next week.
However, the 20th player in the NSW squad will come from a team that has the bye, meaning they can remain in State Origin camp.
Former NSW coach Brad Fittler said talk of playing Ponga in the halves was “terrifying”, but the Blues and a back-rower like Hudson Young would do everything to work him over defending in the front line.
“[Cameron] Munster and Harry Grant are experienced enough to control the kicking game,” Fittler told this masthead.
“Kalyn being at first receiver, and being able to get more ball, it would be terrifying.
“But the problem is Kalyn will need to stand in the front line, and will most probably have Hudson Young going at him; defensively he will need to stand up and make his tackles.”
Chris Barrett is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He is a former South-East Asia correspondent for the Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.