• Willie Mason wants to see Latrell Mitchell in a NSW jersey
  • Labelled Mitchell the ‘best left centre in the world’ 
  • Rabbitohs star last played for Blues in 2021 series

By Andrew Prentice For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:50 BST, 13 June 2024 | Updated: 00:50 BST, 13 June 2024

NRL great Willie Mason is pushing for Latrell Mitchell to be given an Origin recall, labelling the Rabbitohs star the ‘best left centre in the world’.

Mitchell, 26, was overlooked by NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire for the series opener in Sydney, but with Joseph Sua’ali’i suspended he looms as the logical replacement.

‘He just scares the hell out of teams,’ Mason, who played 19 games for NSW, told co-host Gorden Tallis on NRL 360.

‘He’s got that X-factor. I know they didn’t consider him for game one with what was going on off the field.

‘The papers [media] were controlling this narrative saying he’s a bad influence. I don’t think that’s a fact.

NRL great Willie Mason is pushing for Latrell Mitchell to be given an Origin recall, labelling the Rabbitohs star 'the best left centre in the world'

NRL great Willie Mason is pushing for Latrell Mitchell to be given an Origin recall, labelling the Rabbitohs star ‘the best left centre in the world’

Latrell Mitchell last played for the NSW Blues in the 2021 series - he is looming as a straight swap for the suspended Joseph Sua'ali'i

Latrell Mitchell last played for the NSW Blues in the 2021 series - he is looming as a straight swap for the suspended Joseph Sua'ali'i

Latrell Mitchell last played for the NSW Blues in the 2021 series – he is looming as a straight swap for the suspended Joseph Sua’ali’i 

‘I think he’s really shown it in the last couple of weeks and I think he’s going to prove it again this week [against Brisbane].

‘I still think he’s the best left centre in the world. He’s just got that attack and he’s got that presence and he’s the only one that scares Queensland.’

Fellow ex-NSW star Mitchell Pearce agreed with Mason, pointing to Mitchell’s intimidation factor.

‘When he’s on, he plays really well. In Origin, he’s proven,’ he said.

‘He’s intimidating, he’s big, he’s strong. I think we need that.’

Mitchell last played for the Blues in 2021, with injuries seeing him not considered in 2022 and 2023.

Despite the struggles of South Sydney this season, Mitchell has been a standout in recent weeks.

He blitzed the Gold Coast Titans last start, finishing with a try, three try assists and four line break assists in a thumping 46-12 victory.

On Friday night, Mitchell’s Rabbitohs take on the Broncos at Accor Stadium in another opportunity for the polarising star to showcase his talent to Blues coach Michael Maguire.

Cameron Murray has been named on the bench for South Sydney as the hard-working lock returns from a hip flexor injury. 

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NRL great Willie Mason endorses Latrell Mitchell for NSW Blues selection ahead of Origin two – ‘he just scares the hell out of teams’

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