South Sydney Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett said he expects Latrell Mitchell to be fit for State of Origin I after an injury on Friday [1].
Mitchell is a key selection for the New South Wales side, making his health critical for the upcoming representative series. Any prolonged absence would force the selectors to look for alternative options in the backline.
The injury occurred during the NRL Magic Round match on May 15, 2026 [1, 3]. Mitchell hobbled off the field late in the contest against the Dolphins [1]. The Rabbitohs lost the match with a final score of 32–10 [2].
Bennett said he has no doubt regarding Mitchell's ability to recover in time for the Origin clash. The coach said the player will remain a primary choice for the New South Wales squad despite the late exit from the game [1].
Mitchell, who is 28 years old [4], has been a central figure in the Rabbitohs' strategy. His departure from the field during the Magic Round event in Sydney raised immediate concerns among fans and analysts regarding his availability for the state team [1, 2].
While some reports suggested previous injuries in earlier rounds, the current focus remains on the recovery from the Dolphins match [1, 5]. The team's medical staff will monitor the player's progress as the first game of the State of Origin series approaches.
“Bennett said he expects Latrell Mitchell to be fit for State of Origin I”
The availability of Latrell Mitchell significantly alters the tactical landscape for New South Wales. If Mitchell returns as Bennett expects, the Blues maintain a powerful attacking threat; however, a failure to recover would shift the momentum toward Queensland and open the door for rival players currently vying for a spot in the squad.
