Brad Fittler hits back at critics over Origin Game II selections

Blues coach Brad Fittler has hit back at the critics over his selections in Game I and II for State of Origin as New South Wales face a must-win clash at Suncorp next Wednesday. Fittler has been heavily scrutinised for his selections after Game I, which saw him keep Dally M winner Nicho Hynes on the bench for around 70 minutes, before introducing him late on.

Other selections also raised eyebrows as the Blues went down 26-18 in Adelaide, meaning they need to win at Suncorp to keep the series alive. Ahead of Game II, Fittler had a number of injuries to contend with including the loss of halfback Nathan Cleary.

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However, the Blues great didn't do himself any favours with his critics having dropped Hynes from the squad altogether. This was just about an admission from Fittler that he and the selectors got the role of Hynes wrong in the first place and the Sharks halfback was not best suited for a utility role.

While Fittler made a number of changes, most of which were forced with Damien Cook also coming in for the injured Api Koroisau, the big talk was around who would replace Cleary. Mitchell Moses won the race over Adam Reynolds and Hynes for the key match-up against Daly Cherry-Evans.

However, fans have been critical of Fittler and the selectors' choices with the Blues looking at a second-straight series loss. But when Fitter was dealt the question on what he thought of the criticism, he dismissed the thought the state was unhappy with the camp.

"Well the people I walk past every day don’t. They’re very encouraging and very supportive and they can see there is a good footy team there are going to try hard so they’re the only people I’ve been listening to at the moment," he said on Friday.

When pushed about what people say about his selections on social media, Fittler hit back. "I don’t have social media mate. You’d have to tell me. You can if you want," he said.

"That’s normal mate," he said of the criticism. "We’ll go and hang out with the people that are walking on the street that I see every day, they’re very supportive of the team and I think they can see there’s a good footy team here."

Latrell Mitchell shock rocks Blues camp

Unfortunately fort the Blues, Fittler and co were dealt some bad news when Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell ruled himself out again for the must-win clash. Mitchell - who missed Game I with a calf injury - was one of a number of Blues stars battling injury concerns, with teammates Liam Martin (concussion) and Cameron Murray (groin strain) tracking well to take their place in the crunch showdown at Suncorp Stadium.

But on Thursday, the Rabbitohs star pulled out of the camp and Fittler has explained how it went down. “When I saw Latrell at the start of camp his chances of playing, I didn’t think were great,” Fittler said.

“But we all thought the risk was worth it. He came in yesterday and spoke to myself and the physio and said he didn’t have the confidence (in it). We needed him to get to a certain level today and then be at full training by Sunday and he just didn’t think he had that in him.

“It was good to know earlier, it was a selfless decision and allows Stephen Crichton a little more certainty about his job and what he’s got to do."

The Maroons will host the Blues next Wednesday in Game II of State of Origin.

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