LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a move that has sparked controversy akin to a contentious try decision, NRL star Latrell Mitchell has made waves by choosing to prioritize his club, South Sydney, over representing his state in the upcoming State of Origin series.
The new coach, Michael Maguire, reportedly organized a covert meeting with some key players of the New South Wales team, aiming to mend the state's spine.
Mitchell, along with two other Rabbitohs teammates, decided to bypass the 'secret' gathering with Maguire and instead directed their efforts towards reviving Souths' fortunes on the field.
According to reports from the Daily Telegraph, Maguire extended invitations to a group of elite fullbacks, halves, and hookers to discuss strategies for the State of Origin series at the NSW Blues headquarters in Sydney.
Among the attendees were star fullbacks James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic, along with halves Nicho Hynes and Mitchell Moses.
Surprisingly, Cronulla hooker Blake Brailey also made an appearance, raising eyebrows as a potential wildcard entry for Game I.
Unfortunately, key players from the Penrith Panthers, including Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, and Dylan Edwards, were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
The list of invitees also included hookers Api Koroisau and Wayde Egan, as well as Eels fullback Clint Gutherson, although they were regrettably absent from the meeting.
Notably, Souths trio Mitchell, Damien Cook, and Cody Walker chose to decline Maguire's invitation in favor of focusing on their struggling club's performance in the ongoing NRL season.
With tensions rising and speculation rampant, Mitchell's decision to prioritize Souths over State of Origin has left fans and pundits alike questioning the impact of his absence on the NSW team.
As the rugby league season unfolds, only time will tell how this controversial move will play out in the grand scheme of things.