'They didn't want to run at us': How Latrell inspired NSW's left edge domination

"Bring it on, bro. Bring on the challenge. Bring on the Queenslanders. Me and my brothers will be ready”.

Jarome Luai suggested the NSW left edge, where he plays alongside Angus Crichton, Latrell Mitchell and Brian To’o, may have developed a psychological advantage over their Maroons opponents in Wednesday night’s 38-18 triumph at the MCG.

“To be honest, man, I don't think Queensland wanted to run shape at our side,” he said.

With Mitchell back in the team, the players around him developed greater confidence while he planted doubts in the minds of the Maroons in both attack and defence.

Crichton was one of the Blues’ best, and he and Mitchell targeted Queensland centre Val Holmes, who was forced to attempt 37 tackles – six of which he missed and another four which were deemed ineffective.

Mitchell scored a try and To'o finished with a double.

“The way Latrell played speaks for itself,” Crichton said. “He’s the man when he plays. He’s a big game player, he’s been in the Origin arena, and we know that he’s been there and done it before.

“We had so much confidence in our ability to make that connection on our edge and everyone did their role and that is what happens when you work as a team.

“I’ve played a lot of big games with him - in grand finals, Origins and World Cups - and I am happy for him.

“He has worked hard to get back into this arena and a lot of people were writing him off. I think he silenced them tonight.”

Luai said it was his mission to combine with his outside men and give Crichton and Mitchell opportunities to terrify the Queensland defence.

“I can't speak highly enough of what Latrell bought into this team and into my edge,” Luai said.

“As soon as he got selected, and I got selected, I knew I had to really dive deep into unlocking him and unlocking Gus.

“I’ve got some weapons outside me, and I'll never be afraid to use them. I thought I didn't use Gus well enough in Game I so it was a big goal of mine to make sure I didn't miss him in Game II.

“He was one of the best players tonight and I think if we are going win Game III, my left edge is going to have to be really good again.

“We are in a great spot. Individually I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself, and in this team, so we are just going to relish this moment but understand that we still have a job to do.”

While the Blues scored seven tries to Queensland’s three, including six in the first half, they went into the game with a plan to build the win on defence.

Mitchell man-handled Reece Walsh on a number of occasions, while Crichton and second-row partner Liam Martin produced several brutal tackles.

“It's good fun playing outside Jarome, he is true competitor, and Biz is a freak, with the work he does out the backfield and then he’s finishing as well,” Crichton said.

“Obviously we talk as an edge, and we said our intentions to go after our game plan and to execute. Everyone was on; no one missed a beat.

“We knew defence wins big games and we came together as a team, everyone was on the same page, we had a common goal and we executed the game plan.

“We all spoke about starting fast and we really knew we had to set the game up with our defence, so we went after that and we nailed the first 40 minutes.

“We have to do that for 80 minutes in the next game and there were areas in the second half we have got to clean up so we will work on that.”

If the Blues win the series decider at Suncorp on July 17, they will become the only NSW team besides the Laurie Daley 1994 side to lose at Sydney in the opening game and win the next two matches away from home.

However, Crichton said playing a decider in Brisbane held no fear for the Blues as they had secured the 2021 series at Suncorp Stadium after winning the opening game in Townsville, and then narrowly losing a dead rubber on the Gold Coast.

“If we replicate that first half and do it for 80-minutes, I think we’ve got the talent, we’ve got the drive and we have got the team here to do it,” he said.

“We wrapped up the series at Suncorp in 2021 so we know how to win there, and we are not scared of Suncorp that’s for sure.”