Westpac NSW Blues forward Cameron Murray is keen to create some more memorable moments with his South Sydney Rabbitohs teammate Latrell Mitchell after the pair were named together for Game Two of the Ampol State of Origin series at the MCG on Wednesday 26 June.
They were last in a Blues jersey together in the memorable 2021 series won 2-1 by NSW with all three games in Queensland.
“He’s just such a freak player… when your backs are against the wall is when he does something freaky, like score points, make a break, throw an impossible pass,” Murray told nswrl.com.au
“He definitely can break a game open or change momentum when he wants to.
“He’s one of the game’s greatest players so I’m always grateful to be able to rub shoulders with him and play alongside him.
“That creates such good memories because our time together won’t last. I just want more moments with him while I can.
“I’m really happy with Latrell and me being able to play together again in the sky blue jersey. We both love doing it and I’m keen to play with him.”
Mitchell is also keen to be back on the Origin stage.
“I’m excited about the team we’ve got – there’s a bit of an aura about it,” he said.
He was contacted by NSW coach Michael Maguire on Sunday about returning to the Blues.
“It was my (27th) birthday and I was with my family so I had them listen in (to Maguire’s phone call) so that made it special.”
Mitchell missed 2022 due to a hamstring strain and 2023 with a calf injury. He agreed there had been a fair bit of frustration involved with trying to get back to Origin.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot of things, I’m more resilient, a bit more smarter. Obviously situations happened for a reason.”
But now he is ready to roam free, replacing the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
“I’m here now, and I actually felt sorry for Joseph, but that was Game One and we’re talking about Game Two. This week is about creating connections and bonds as a team.”
