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Latrell's piece in Blues' jigsaw unknown

3 minute read

NSW coach Brad Fittler says he has plenty of time to decide where Latrell Mitchell fits into the scheme of his State of Origin planning.

LATRELL MITCHEL at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
LATRELL MITCHEL at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

NSW coach Brad Fittler is biding his time before deciding just where key piece Latrell Mitchell fits into his State of Origin jigsaw.

And Fittler says Queensland's legendary ex-coach Wayne Bennett will unwittingly help NSW's origin title defence.

Bennett will oversee Mitchell's transition to fullback at South Sydney, after the 22-year-old played centre at his former club Sydney Roosters and for the Blues.

"That will be interesting how that goes," Fittler told reporters on Tuesday in Adelaide, where this year's Origin series opener will played on June 3.

"A lot has got to happen for Latrell. His fitness is going to play a big part, it's a very different position to one he played at the Roosters.

"Wayne Bennett is a pretty good coach, he (Mitchell) will have assistance from one of the great Queenslanders so I look forward to seeing Wayne's input.

"The key is going to be (Mitchell) is going to cover more than twice as much distance as he was playing centre so he is going to have to work hard."

Fittler, spoilt for fullback choices at the Blues with incumbent James Tedesco and Tom Trbojevic, was non-committal on deploying Mitchell elsewhere in the backline.

"It's 120 days until the game (one) so it gives me about 110 days to pick a team," he said.

"So I think I will take my time on that one."

Fittler gathered his potential Origin squad in Sydney last weekend, noting the impact of consecutive series triumphs over Queensland.

"When you win, the players just seem to come together a lot easier," he said.

"We have had a couple of years where the blokes have really good memories about each other - and none better than the last game, the last minute of the last game last year.

"So that just creates camaraderie and allows you take it to another level."

The Blues will be seeking to extend their winning record in Origin matches on neutral turf in Adelaide after wins in Perth last year and Melbourne in 2018.

But Fittler said selection, rather than the venue, would be key.

"It's just going back to picking the right players," he said.

"Any time we have got our best team, I feel we're extremely competitive.

"It's going to be hard. everyone starts on an even keel and injuries play a big part so we have just got to get that (selection) right."

Game two will be played in Sydney on June 21 with game three in Brisbane on July 8.

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