Five reasons Latrell Mitchell already has Queensland on edge
Fullback Dylan Edwards added: 'He's been really strong carrying the ball out of yardage, and some of his silky passes, not many people in the game can do those.
'He's such a physical person on the field, and super humble and so kind off it. I'm excited to see how he goes next Wednesday. I've got no doubts he'll be great.'
In case Billy Slater and Queensland needed a refresher, here are five moments from Origin I and Origin II where Mitchell made his mark.
Seeing Maroon
Mitchell was physical in defence from the opening whistle at Suncorp Stadium, even picking up and smashing Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans into the ground in the first half.
The Maroons send a lot of traffic down Mitchell's left edge in an effort to tire him, but he relished the challenge.
He also came up with vital tackles on Kalyn Ponga and Xavier Coates when leading the kick-chase, and helped Edwards stop Harry Grant from burrowing over the tryline.
How did he do that?
One of the best moments of the series so far was Mitchell's pass to To'o to score on the half hour in game one.
Queensland pair Rob Toia and Coates raced up on Mitchell, but he caught the ball and shuffled it wide in one midair motion for To'o to complete the short run to the tryline.
'That is just as good as it gets, that's special,' Andrew Johns said on the Nine commentary.
Brad Fittler added: 'The fact is Latrell when he threw that ball he was off the ground, I don't know how he finds the strength to actually flick it through his hands that quick when he's not even on the ground.'
Desperation play
This passage of play was completely forgotten, but it eased some of the pressure on the Blues in Perth when Queensland looked ready to blow the game wide open.
The Maroons led 12-6 in the 25th minute and marched downfield with ease before Cam Munster kicked at the end of a set. Coates leapt and kept the ball alive, and Queensland began to spread the ball back in-field. When Tom Dearden resisted a kick and passed to Toia, who failed to grasp it, Mitchell raced out of the line to dive on the ball and win back possession. It was an all-or-nothing play in the wet.
Cooper Cronk suggested on the Fox Sports commentary Toia may have spilled the ball because he had one eye on Mitchell rushing in to flatten him.
Queensland went on to lead 26-6 by half-time, but Mitchell's eagerness helped win back a bit of field position.
To'o good
The two passes for To'o to score in the west may not have been as flashy as his final ball in Brisbane, but Mitchell's ability to shift the ball with defenders rushing up on him was lovely to watch.
In fact, few centres would have been able to keep their composure and execute with such precision like Mitchell.
Just ask To'o, who has quickly learned to expect the unexpected when standing outside Mitchell.
'You can't really explain it. That's just Trell Mit showing his magic,' To'o said. 'Trell brings that bit of magic out of everyone. I'm grateful to have another year playing alongside him.'
Perth strip show
Jeremiah Nanai charged the ball up in the 71st minute, was greeted by Mitchell, Luai, Crichton and Hudson Young, before the latter three peeled off and Mitchell yanked the ball from Nanai's grasp.
He then somehow juggled the ball in his right hand before going to ground and giving NSW a golden attacking set.
Crichton was able to score a few plays later to get the Blues within two points.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Lions send ominous message to Wallabies with Reds demolition
The British and Irish Lions fired an ominous Red Alert across the bow of its Australian rivals on Wednesday to assert early dominance on its tour down under. The Lions' 52-12 Suncorp Stadium taming of Queensland made it 106 points in the first 160 minutes of its six-week tour. The 40-point smashing followed last week's 54-7 winning start over the Force in Perth. Australia beware. This Lions outfit is armed and dangerous and getting better by the minute. Queensland showed plenty of grit and determination early to deny the visitors a score for a tense opening quarter but the Lions lunged hard and fast approaching half time to turn a 12-7 deficit into a 21-12 lead. The visitors turned to its vaunted forward pack and faster and stronger back division to score 26 unanswered points within the next 25 minutes. It turned hope into hell for the Queensland fans that filled Suncorp toward a stunning 46,435 crowd figure. Huw Jones celebrates his try for the British & Irish Lions. Picture: Getty Images LIONS POUNCE IN SECOND-HALF THUMPING The Lions will be licking their lips to continue building against the Brumbies and Waratahs before facing the Wallabies on July 19. Its rampaging second-half surge was the perfect response to a sloped start riddled with errors. In an effective 50-minute stint, timeless scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park set up a try and kicked very well for touch. Without doing anything crazy, flyhalf Finn Russell was also a class act whose backline division got slicker as the game endured. Tommy Freeman scores for the British & Irish Lions. Picture: AP Photo Both forward and back units flexed considerable muscle in the second half to show the Lions mean one thing and that's business. Headed by an inspired captain Maro Itoje, the Lions turned Suncorp into its personal playground to have fans heading for the exit with about 10 minutes to go. The Reds simply couldn't contain Itoje across his wholehearted 80-minute performance. He scored a barnstorming try, twice stole lineout ball and ran telling decoy lines that almost created a stunning 20 minutes from time. British and Irish Lions' Jac Morgan celebrates his try. Picture: AFP LIONS SLOW OUT OF THE GATES Earlier, it was more a purr than a roar in the first 20 minutes from the Lions. A sluggish opening gave the impression the Lions would be racing the clock to find its rhythm ahead of the Test-series opener at Lang Park in three weeks time. Those cobwebs were quickly dusted off after initially being denied on four occasions when in the Reds red zone. Part of it was brave defence by the hosts but it was mostly poor handling and average execution from the visitors that saw them come away empty handed. Duhan Van Der Merwe scores a try for the British & Irish Lions. Picture: Getty Images Queensland channelled its 'back against the wall' underdog spirit in an instant and it worked a treat as they repelled their foes four times within the first 16 minutes. Queensland twice won scrum penalties in the first quarter and showed plenty of patience and power when mounting 14 phases to score the first try of the night through prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen. Things were looking up. The Reds then held up Lions midfielder Bundee Aki over the try line, the second time in the opening 12 minutes they held them out. But as the match endured, the Lions hit their stride and the Reds succumbed to sheer power and slick combinations. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen celebrates after opening the scoring for the Reds. Picture: Getty Images FLOOKY ARE YOU SERIOUS? It was Luke Morahan whose 2013 try took the imagination of onlookers and 12 years later it was young Josh Flook who was responsible for Queensland's highlight try. Josh Flook try v Lions The Reds had defended stoically to be level at 7-all and when the space opened up in behind, halfback Kalani Thomas took no prisoners. The daring No.9 dabbed a deft grubber in behind the Lions defence and charging through came Flook to land a 12-7 advantage 27 minutes in. Flook, spearing on a beeline towards the stripe, somehow held on as the ball bobbled up onto his right quad to score. 12-7 was the last time the Reds led. The Lions, spurred on by a ferocious bench unit, did not concede a single point for the final 53 minutes. Tim Ryan gets up to take possession for the Reds. Picture: Getty Images Reds custodian Campbell became the state's 125th rugby union captain, 12 years after watching the 2013 Lions series from the stands as fullback of The Southport School's Second XV. The Lions Tour only comes around once every 12 years, with the Reds falling just short in a 22-12 loss back in 2013. Quade Cooper captained the Reds on that night, and this week the decorated former Wallaby wrote why that experience remains such a major moment in his career. For some, like Hunter Paisami and Matt Faessler, it shapes as an opportunity to show Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt why they deserve a gold jersey later in the tour. Read related topics: Suncorp Nick Tucker Sports journalist Nick Tucker is a sports writer for the Courier-Mail/Quest Newspapers, and CODE Sports, focusing largely on junior, school and club sport. Nick Tucker

News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Lions Tour, v Reds, news and scores: Toomaga-Allen gives Reds early lead over the Lions
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen has given the Reds an early lead against the British and Irish Lions, in a tour game which doubles as a chance to impress for a gold Wallabies jersey. Jock Campbell is living a rugby dream as he captains Queensland against the British and Irish Lions, and it's a dream start after the Reds scored fired at Suncorp Stadium. Reds custodian Campbell will become the state's 125th rugby union captain, 12 years after watching the 2013 Lions series from the stands as fullback of The Southport School's Second XV. The Lions Tour only comes around once every 12 years, with the Reds falling just short in a 22-12 loss back in 2013. Quade Cooper captained the Reds on that night, and this week the decorated former Wallaby wrote why that experience remains such a major moment in his career. For some, like Hunter Paisami and Matt Faessler, it shapes as an opportunity to show Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt why they deserve a gold jersey later in the tour.


The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Smith gets key backing as Australia's next coach
Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game." Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game." Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game."