'Queensland would be happy': Ex-Blues blast Freddy's Latrell Mitchell gamble

Former Blues have blasted Brad Fittler after he dropped Latrell Mitchell as part of a whopping seven changes to the NSW team for State of Origin II.

Blake Ferguson, Tom Trbojevic, James Maloney, Daniel Saifiti, Dale Finucane, Wade Graham and Tariq Sims have all been drafted in for the Perth game.

David Klemmer (wrist), Payne Haas (hamstring) and Nick Cotric (ankle) are three forced changes after copping injuries over the past fortnight.

First-gamer Cody Walker, Angus Crichton, Josh Morris and Mitchell have been overlooked in what is a vastly different looking team.

Trbojevic and Jack Wighton are in the centres, while Saifiti, the starting prop, and Finucane will make their Origin debuts.

Fittler was one of many who criticised Mitchell for a sub-par game-one showing, publicly questioning the motivation levels of the superstar after the match.

And while there was widespread speculation the Sydney Roosters' centre was dealing with some off-field issues, Fittler insisted his decision was purely on form.

"The biggest (factor) was we had expectations up at Suncorp and he made sure he didn't meet those expectations," Fittler said on Sunday night.

"We really need our players to work hard for each other and, at the end of the day, Queensland wanted it more than us which is a bit of a shame. Latrell, he's a bit of a consequence of that.

"His week (preparing for game one) was fantastic. It was nothing to do with anything off the field - it was purely on the field."

Fittler’s predecessor Laurie Daley declared Mitchell’s omission would delight the Maroons, who will come up against two centres – Tom Trbojevic and Jack Wighton – playing out of position.

“I’m shocked Latrell was left out. He’s still the most dynamic centre in the game,” Daley said on Fox Sports.

“I think Queensland would be happy with that. I reckon Latrell would have played well with James (Maloney).”

Former NSW hooker Michael Ennis went one step further than Daley, declaring the game, and therefore the series, is already lost.

“I don’t think we can beat Queensland without him,” he said on Fox Sports.

A Kangaroos incumbent, Mitchell scored two tries as part of an 18-point haul in the Roosters' big win on Sunday over Canterbury.

"It's the hardest thing I've had to do," Fittler said of Mitchell's axing.

"The great thing was he scored a couple of tries today and let's hope he gets his smile back and his swagger and it won't be too long before he's playing rep footy."

Halfback candidate Mitchell Pearce had been widely tipped for a dramatic recall but was ruled out early on Sunday due to hip and cork issues.

Haas was also unavailable after picking up a hamstring injury.

Fittler admitted Crichton was only in the team to cover for an underdone Tyson Frizell in game one, and that Morris was a victim of Trbojevic's return from injury.

Blues team for Origin II

James Tedesco, Blake Ferguson, Tom Trbojevic, Jack Wighton, Josh Addo-Carr, James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, Daniel Saifiti, Damien Cook, Paul Vaughan, Boyd Cordner (capt), Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic. Res: Dale Finucane, Tariq Sims, Cameron Murray, Wade Graham.

with AAP