The final thing Latrell needs to do to get back on Blues’ radar

Latrell Mitchell produced another eye-catching performance for South Sydney on Saturday afternoon, but it may not be enough to earn him a recall to the NSW Blues.

Mitchell produced the perfect Origin audition when he scored a try, saved one, and set up three more as the Rabbitohs won 46-12 against the Gold Coast.

With a vacancy in the NSW centres after Joseph Suaalii was handed a four-week ban for wiping out Reece Walsh in Wednesday’s Origin opener, all eyes were on Mitchell.

The Rabbitohs star has not worn the Blues jersey since 2021. According to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, due to the sensitivity of the situation, Mitchell must publicly declare he wants to return to the Blues’ set-up before being considered for selection.

There was confusion about whether he wanted to play Origin this year after Souths’ sluggish start to the season, which included Mitchell serving a three-game ban.

Mitchell recently declared on Instagram he “bleeds blue”, but downplayed talk of an Origin call-up when asked after South Sydney’s win over Parramatta last month.

Blues officials want to know the 26-year-old is fully committed before giving serious thought to picking him.

Mitchell looked in the mood at Cbus Super Stadium from the opening exchanges, defusing bombs, pushing up in support of Damien Cook to finish a long-range try and setting up four-pointers for Richie Kennar and Cody Walker before half-time.