Latrell Mitchell ruled out of Origin II in brutal NSW injury blow

The Blues have confirmed Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of Wednesday night's do-or-die State of Origin Game II, after the Souths star was considered only a "50/50" proposition to return from injury. Mitchell - who missed Game I with a calf injury - was one of a number of Blues stars battling injury concerns, with teammates Liam Martin (concussion) and Cameron Murray (groin strain) tracking well to take their place in the crunch showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said about Mitchell, who was a no-show at the Blues' whole squad media day in Coogee on Wednesday. The NSW centre instead spent the afternoon being treated and in consultation with the club physiotherapists.

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Publicly, Blues teammates had put on a brave face, with Murray indicating that his teammate is "doing well" in his recovery and NSW skipper James Tedesco expressing confidence that he could be fit - a proposition ruled out on Thursday evening. "They all did some testing today (Wednesday) and looked pretty good," the fullback told AAP. I know they're all doing everything they can to make sure they're fresh and healthy."

Injury rules Latrell Mitchell out of State of Origin II

Blues 18th man Stephen Crichton - the likely replacement at centre for NSW after filling in for Mitchell in Game I - was earlier adamant the South Sydney superstar would be right come game time. “He’ll get through," the Penrith star said about Mitchell.

His teammates shrugged off Mitchell's absence on Wednesday, but the following afternoon, on the first rest day of the Blues' camp, it was confirmed the Rabbitohs star would miss the second Origin game. Canterbury co-captain Matt Burton was promoted to 18th man for the series opener and will join camp to reprise the role for Game II.

"The decision was made by Westpac NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler, Mitchell and the medical staff after they determined he would not have overcome the injury in time for the game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday 21 June," an NSWRL statement read.

Cameron Murray and Liam Martin on track to return

Meantime, Murray is backing himself to recover from the injury he suffered in the Rabbitohs' win over Gold Coast in round 14. "I don't have a crystal ball but I'm confident I can be there," Murray told AAP.

"I ran today for the third time since I did it and I'm obviously progressing nicely. I'm focusing on what I can control. That's just about being diligent with my rehab and my prep and obviously connecting with the boys.

"It's about making sure that come Wednesday, I didn't die wondering and I gave myself every opportunity. It’s just about staying sensible, and sticking strong to the rehab plan that the physios have put in front of me, taking it a day at a time, and ticking off everything that I need to tick off as the week progresses.”

Martin was cleared to enter camp by Panthers medical staff, who assessed him 48 hours after his head knock against the Sydney Roosters. Despite not showing concussion symptoms, the second-rower is still subject to the 11-day stand-down policy for category-one head knocks and has to avoid contact drills at Blues camp.

"I'm not too worried about it," Martin told AAP. You do that much in the pre-season and in the early months (of the season). You've got enough in the bank that you don't really need to be doing too much at this time of year. It's probably going to work in my favour, if anything, just resting a bit."

with AAP

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