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Allan a Maroon thanks to star Blue's help

3 minute read

Queensland debutant Corey Allan doesn't think he'd be a State of Origin footballer without the help of injured NSW superstar Latrell Mitchell.

LATRELL MITCHELL of the Roosters.
LATRELL MITCHELL of the Roosters. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

Queensland rookie Corey Allan has lauded the guidance and support of injured NSW star Latrell Mitchell in transforming him into a State of Origin player.

Allan has been named to make his first Maroons' appearance in Wednesday's decider at Suncorp Stadium as Queensland chase a first series win in three years.

After failing to make the grade at Brisbane, Allan made 19 appearances in his first NRL season at South Sydney.

The arrival of Mitchell at Redfern last summer from Sydney Roosters was a pivotal moment for the 22-year-old.

With Mitchell sidelined due to a ruptured hamstring for the back end of the 2020 season, Allan finished the year at fullback for the Rabbitohs as they finished one game short of the grand final.

He says the Mitchell's support during that period was a key factor in him now being just days away from an Origin debut.

"Trell had a big influence," Allan said.

"He is only 23 or 24 and he's won two premierships. He helped me with all the little things.

"Every little thing I was learning from him. He was showing me what to look for when defenders are shutting, all the little things that help you on the footy field."

Mitchell's advice will probably not be welcomed by NSW if Allan helps to defeat the Blues on Wednesday and Allan admits there's some relief his Rabbitohs' teammate won't be on the opposition this week.

"It would be funny if Trell was playing for the Blues because I can't take him seriously. We muck around all the time," he said.

"It'd be interesting if he was on the Blues side."

Speculation is rife despite being named on the wing by Maroons coach Wayne Bennett, Allan will actually line up at fullback with Valentine Holmes moving out to nullify the impact of Blues' winger Josh Addo-Carr.

The 22-year-old tried his best to stick to the script when asked where he'll be playing but is confident he'll be good to go in whatever role Bennett hands him.

"I'm named on the wing," Allan said.

"The plan right now is to focus on coming up against Addo-Carr. That's my main focus.

"We'll see how training pans out."

The Maroons were boosted on Sunday by the presence of Cameron Munster at their training run on the Gold Coast.

Munster still has to clear concussion protocols to play on Wednesday after his game two head knock but appeared to be training without restriction at CBUS Super Stadium.

Brenko Lee, who has been unavailable for the past two matches due to a calf strain, was also training with the main group as speculation mounts the Melbourne centre might be a late inclusion.

Winger Xavier Coates only took part in light duties on Sunday but the teenager isn't understood to be a doubt for Wednesday's match.

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