Mitchell in, Hynes out and Indigenous debutant Connor Watson named in Blues squad for men's Origin II

Jarred Cross Published June 17, 2024 at 8.00am (AWST)

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Days after declaring he was keen to "give it to some Queenslanders", Latrell Mitchell has earned selection for his first State of Origin game since 2021. (Image: AAP)

Nicho Hynes has been axed and Latrell Mitchell has earned a call up in Michael Maguire's 20-man NSW Blues squad announced on Sunday ahead of their fight to keep their Origin series alive.

Mitchell, who hasn't pulled on the NSW jumper since 2021, slots into the centre position made absent after Joseph Sua'ali'i was slapped with a lengthy ban for his hit on Maroons fullback Reece Walsh minutes into Game I.

After missing selection for the series opener last month, Mitchell moved to squash any suggestions of lack of interest for Origin honours from his end taking to social media stating "I bleed blue" and would put his hand up if called on by Maguire.

In recent days Mitchell told the Sydney Morning Herald "I'm ready. I'm keen," and prepared "to go to Melbourne and give it to some Queenslanders" if selected for a return.

Mitchell provided some of his best of recent performances in Souths Sydney's 42-12 away thrashing of Gold Coast last weekend as the Bunnies' season looks to be turning a corner.

Former NSW Origin captain and eighth rugby league immortal Andrew Johns declared Mitchell's return for game two was a must after his showing against the Titans just days after NSW's hefty home defeat to Queensland.

"Latrell just has to come in, there's no ifs or buts," Johns said.

"Just get him in there. (He's a) serious x-factor. He destroyed them (the Titans in round 14) yesterday. He's just got to be there."

Mitchell is one of five changes, which includes Roosters utility and Gamilaroi man Connor Watson as one of three debutants in the squad to try and level the series at the MCG Wednesday-week.

Nicho Hynes has been shown the door after the opening game of the series for the second time in as many years following his first crack at a starting spot in the halves in Sydney.

Speculation sparked early of his potential ousting with the availability from injury of suitors for the job after the Blues failures to kick off the series with Hynes directing play.

Eels half Mitchell Moses will take the no.7 jumper after injury ruled him out as an option for game one and off the back of leading the Blues to their sole win in game three of the 2023 series.

NSW Game II men's Origin Squad

1. Dylan Edwards

2. Brian To'o

3. Stephen Crichton

4. Latrell Mitchell

5. Zac Lomax

6. Jarome Luai

7. Mitchell Moses

8. Jake Trbojevic (c)

9. Reece Robson

10. Payne Haas

11. Liam Martin