'A risk worth taking': Fittler admits he was never sure about Mitchell playing
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NSW coach Brad Fittler is confident his team will face no more disruptions ahead of Origin II after declaring forward Cameron Murray a virtual certainty to play while revealing he had always held doubts about the fitness of star centre Latrell Mitchell.
Mitchell ruled himself out on Thursday after failing to train as well as he hoped due to a nagging calf injury and has been replaced by Stephen Crichton in the same backline change forced upon Fittler ahead of the series opener at Adelaide Oval.
However, Crichton only had the final session to prepare before Origin I, whereas he has been training at left centre since the NSW team came into camp on Tuesday while Mitchell focused on his rehab work.
“It was good to know earlier and it was a selfless decision because it gives Stephen Crichton a little more certainty about his job and what he’s got to do," Fittler said.
"I think we all appreciated his efforts last game and the fact is that Latrell has been on the sideline so it has been easier this time because that has allowed us to train other people in those positions. It has been pretty smooth."
Fittler expects Mitchell to be available for Origin III at Accor Stadium on July 12 but he admitted he had always been uncertain he would play next Wednesday night.
“When Latrell came in, I never thought he was 100 per cent certain that he was going to be able to make it, but I think we all thought the risk was worth it," Fitter said.
"He came in and we spoke early about it. We were always open about how the week had to run. We were optimistic, but we fell short.
“It was his call, and we were going to give him until Sunday. We needed him to get to a certain level today and then be at full training by Sunday and he just didn’t think he had that in him."
In contrast, Murray appears to have overcome a groin injury and Fitter is confident the Rabbitohs captain will take his place on the interchange in next Wednesday night's must win interstate encounter at Suncorp Stadium.
"I’m very certain, as certain as can be,” Fittler said of Murray. "He has been very good and he will be with the team on Sunday for a full session."
Panthers second-rower Liam Martin warmed up in a coloured bib before media were asked to leave Blues training at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Friday as he continued to undergo concussion protocols.
Martin was cleared to enter camp by Panthers medical staff, who assessed him 48 hours after his head knock against the Sydney Roosters last Saturday night, but he is unable to do full contact training until the eve of the match.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 2 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
