Injured Blues star Latrell Mitchell has admitted he “wasn’t close at all” to playing in game two this weekend, but has revealed he is eyeing a spot in Brad Fittler‘s side for the series finale.
Mitchell, who starred in last year’s 2-1 series win, has left a gaping hole in New South Wales’ side as he recovers from a serious hamstring injury.
“I wasn’t close at all,” the South Sydney star told 9News.
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“It wouldn’t have been fair on myself if I ended up playing this week. I just wanted to get myself right and prepared well for South Sydney. That’s my own choice, not the club’s, not anyone else’s.”
Despite missing the first two games of the season and having not played a single match since April 9, Mitchell isn’t ruling out a heroic appearance in game three at Suncorp Stadium.
The Blues need to win in Perth this Sunday to level the series and force a decider.
“Good luck to the boys and I hope they get the job done. If they get it done, I’ll be definitely keen for negotiating positional spots for game three,” he said.
“I’m pushing for (his return). Definitely for Souths fans at home, be patient, I know you have been. I’m keen. I’m honestly (champing) at the bit.”
Mitchell said he’d virtually learned how to walk again during an intense five-day training camp in the United States, saying the lessons were “things you wouldn’t even think about”.
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The 25-year-old has scored six tries in seven Origin appearances and would undoubtedly bolter a Blues attack that looked shaky in the series opener.
NSW will hope to tie up the three-match series when they take the field at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Sunday evening for game two.