Queensland hooker Ben Hunt has rubbished NSW great Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns’ claim that Latrell Mitchell has got in the heads of the Maroons. Mitchell is back in blue for the first time since 2021 as NSW look to keep the State of Origin series alive with a win in game two at the MCG on Wednesday night. “He hasn’t got into our heads at all. We have done preparation on him, like you would on any good player,” Hunt said.
“Valentine Holmes is already talking it up saying he will get in Latrell’s face, so Latrell is in their heads. It is good. “The right side of Queensland is a target. The gap between DCE and Holmes, that space between the halfback and centre, that’s where NSW will apply pressure with Angus , Latrell, Dylan Edwards and Jarome floating around. “That will be the spot they target, especially with Latrell. He is NSW’s X-factor.” Hunt conceded Mitchell was on the Maroons’ tip sheet.