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Shocked Blues move on from Mitchell axing

3 minute read

The NSW team, without star centre Latrell Mitchell, have arrived in Perth to begin preparations for State of Origin II.

LATRELL MITCHELL of the Roosters scores a try during the NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia.
LATRELL MITCHELL of the Roosters scores a try during the NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Australia. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

He might already be across the country, but NSW captain Boyd Cordner has vowed to reach out to dumped star Latrell Mitchell ahead of State of Origin II.

The Blues have arrived in Perth to begin preparations for the must-win clash on Sunday armed with a new-look side with seven changes from game one.

"It's obviously a bit surprising but as soon as I (had) seen the team, you can see it's a very strong squad," Cordner said on Monday.

"(It) obviously gives you confidence straight away that we can come over here and be able to get the job done."

Sydney Roosters centre Mitchell was easily the most notable omission, and was at the forefront of Cordner's mind when the team touched down.

The Roosters skipper briefly spoke with club teammates Mitchell and Angus Crichton before leaving Sydney, but will do so again through the week.

"It's more disappointing for them. Obviously being teammates, it's hard to see them go through that," Cordner said.

"It's obviously hard to take so I didn't want to crowd them too much.

"They've got to have time to process it all. But I just said to know I'm thinking of them and I'll probably speak to them throughout the week."

Cordner denied being aware of Mitchell's axing, but backed the Kangaroos incumbent to use his disappointment as motivational fuel.

"That's Freddie's (coach Brad Fittler's) call and the coaching staff. I had no say in it at all," Cordner said.

"(Mitchell will) have a lot of people around him. But I'll make sure I get around to him and just to see how he's going.

"I think it'll fire him up. Knowing Latrell, anything like this, or if it's a challenge or anything like that, he always stands up. He'll use this as motivation for sure."

Recalled five-eighth James Maloney sympathised for Mitchell, who leads the NRL in points and is third in tries.

"It's a harsh environment, State of Origin. Decisions are made on one-off performances," Maloney said.

"At the end of the day, we've got a really good coach and selection panel and they know what's going on. They know what's best. We'll back the guys that are there."

Cordner also insisted he would be available to complete the entire week's training despite suggestions he has been battling an ankle injury.

Some questioned the Roosters' decision to play Cordner for both club games between the Origin contests in what is a gruelling period.

The Blues have just three on-field sessions due to the shortened build-up.

"I pushed to play against Penrith and then given the circumstances, I didn't really want to rest. We needed to fix some things there," Cordner said.

"We had (Jake Friend) out, (Luke) Keary, Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves), so I thought, I wanted to play and turn that around there as quick as we could."

Late on Monday, the Blues announced Clint Gutherson and Ryan Matterson had been called in as emergency players.

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