NRL great Cooper Cronk has doubts about whether Latrell Mitchell will be a team player for NSW Blues in State of Origin - here's why
- Cooper Cronk has questioned if Latrell Mitchell will put team first
- Rabbitohs star recalled to play for NSW Blues in game two
- Queensland are chasing their third successive series win
NRL great turned Fox Sports analyst Cooper Cronk believes Latrell Mitchell's work ethic could be the difference when it comes to NSW's Origin hopes in game two.
Cronk, 40, won two premierships with Mitchell at the Roosters and knows the centre can be a match-winner when firing.
But the Maroons legend - who played 22 games for his state - questioned how well Mitchell will play under fatigue.
It will also be Mitchell's first game in the Origin arena since 2021.
Speaking on the Matty Johns podcast, Cronk felt Mitchell's attitude at times can be called into question.
NRL great Cooper Cronk believes Latrell Mitchell's work ethic could be the difference when it comes to NSW's Origin hopes in game two at the MCG
Game two of the series on June 26 will also be Mitchell's first game in the Origin arena since 2021
Cronk pointed to the on-field combination of Jarome Luai (pictured left) and Mitchell as an area Queensland must contain
'It really is up to Latrell. When he wants to be involved, he can be the best player on the field. When he doesn't want to be involved, he's really hard to drag in,' he said.
'Like you'll say, 'put this play on' and he'll say 'no', but then when he wants the ball, he'll say 'just give me the ball'. It really depends on the mood he's in.
'If he goes after the contest like he has [for the Rabbitohs] the last couple of weeks, he is very good, so I don't think motivation will be the issue for Latrell.
'I think the fact will be when he gets fatigued and when there's tired moments, will he still be able to hold his gloves up?
Cronk went onto acknowledge Mitchell's x-factor and the fact he is a big-game player.
'I see why they picked him. I don't know why they picked him in Game 2 when they didn't pick him in Game 1,' he said.
'He's an out-and-out star and he can literally win you the game with one touch. In the 2019 grand final [for the Roosters] he did exactly that.'
Game two is in Melbourne on June 26, with Michael Maguire's Blues needing a win to keep the Origin series alive.
NSW last lifted the interstate shield in 2021.
