LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Michael Maguire has made an interesting call on the potential selection of Latrell Mitchell for State of Origin, stating that the Rabbitohs fullback will need to wait another three weeks before proving his worth to the doubters.
Maguire has ruled out the guarantee of Mitchell playing for the Blues in 2024, urging the fullback to rediscover his form before the Origin showdown.
Mitchell is currently serving a NRL ban for his elbow incident on Shaun Johnson, adding to the pressure he is under to perform.
Struggling with form and facing criticism in the current season, Mitchell and the Rabbitohs are at a 1-5 record, sitting at the bottom of the ladder.
The fullback aims to find the stellar form that earned him a spot in the Blues team three years ago at the centre position.
Injuries have kept Mitchell out of State of Origin for the past two years, and despite being a certain choice at centre in 2021, he now faces a challenge to hold onto his fullback spot at the club level.
Amidst doubts from fans and critics alike, Maguire recognizes Mitchell's potential to regain his spectacular form on the field.
While acknowledging the need for Mitchell to focus and be in the right mindset for big games, the new Blues coach emphasized that the fullback is not an automatic pick for the State of Origin squad.
"It's no secret that Latrell has the skills to shine, but it's crucial for him to be mentally prepared for the challenge ahead," Maguire stated during the Origin campaign launch in Melbourne.
"In high-pressure games, it's essential to have your head in the game and fully focused on the task at hand."