Latrell Mitchell set to miss State of Origin decider with foot injury
Latrell Mitchell is set to be ruled out of the State of Origin series decider with a foot injury, in a massive blow to the Blues.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Mitchell is undergoing further scans with the club and NSW confirming the star's predicament.
Mitchell suffered the injury in the first half of the Rabbitohs' win over Parramatta on Thursday night, but played through the pain and finished the game.
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Having not played Origin since 2021, Mitchell starred on his Blues return in game two. He is yet to play in a losing Blues team.
NSW coach Michael Maguire will now have to search elsewhere to fill the centres position.
Latrell Mitchell of the Blues celebrates scoring a try. Quinn Rooney via Getty Images
Newcastle's Bradman Best, Canterbury's Matt Burton, Sydney Roosters' Joseph Suaalii or Manly's Tom Trbojevic – who returns from a hamstring injury on Saturday night against North Queensland – are all in contention.
Having played the vast majority of his club footy at fullback, Trbojevic will line up in the centres against the Cowboys, in what will be his only chance to prove his fitness before teams are chosen on Sunday night.
He hasn't played since round 10 against the Dolphins.
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Best has battled his own hamstring niggles this season, but scored two length-of-the-field tries against the Eels.
Having been sent off in Origin I for his hit on Reece Walsh, Suaalii would also be a strong contender for a recall.
Matt Burton has also been in good form for the Bulldogs, but hasn't played an Origin since the 2022 series decider.
Like in the opening two matches of the series, the Blues side is expected to be named on Sunday evening, before the Maroons release theirs on Monday morning.