Origin rumour mill: Latrell Mitchell OUT for Origin I

Keep up to date with all the latest selection news and rumours as we count down to Billy Slater and Laurie Daley confirming their squads for Game 1.

Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin series takes place on May 27 at Accor Stadium, with SEN having three LIVE calls of the match.

LATRELL MITCHELL OUT OF ORIGIN I

The NSWRL have confirmed that Latrell Mitchell has ruled himself out of Origin I with an ongoing back injury.

Mitchell missed the Rabbitohs clash with the Sharks with a back injury, before leaving the field early in the Magic Round clash against The Dolphins.

Wayne Bennett had assured fans Mitchell would be fit for selection after the match but it seems he will ultimately be scratched.

Mitchell, who was a lock for Game I, will now be replaced by one of Kotoni Staggs or Tolutau Koula, with Bulldogs centre Stephen Crichton set to retain a centre position.

IS PONGA QUEENSLAND'S KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR AT 7?

After Tom Dearden was ruled out for Game I with a syndesmosis injury, Kalyn Ponga was visibly surprised by the news.

But he might be the man who ends up taking up his spot in the side at No. 7.

It's been reported by News Corp's Peter Badel that the Newcastle fullback has beaten Sam Walker to the spot.

But the Roosters' halfback will still be in the squad as a member of the extended bench.

STORM CENTRE SET TO BE HANDED ORIGIN DEBUT

With a stellar performance in the Storm's Magic Round win against the Eels, centre Jack Howarth is set to be handed his Queensland debut by Billy Slater.

Despite having had a hip injury during the year, the 23-year-old has managed to score three tries alongside 23 tackle breaks throughout the season.

That included a season-best performance on Saturday, having managed a try, a try assist, and a line break assist while running for 167 metres in their 34-8 win.

ELIGIBILITY RULES OPENS SELECTION DOORS FOR BLUES AND MAROONS

After adopting new eligibility rules for State of Origin, New South Wales and Queensland are set to see Kiwi representatives take up spots in their squads.

The NRL made changes to its State of Origin eligibility criteria in February, which now allow those who met the previous criteria but represented a Tier One nation (New Zealand and England) to be selected.

And with that in mind, the Cronulla pair of Addin Fonua-Blake (NSW) and Briton Nikora (QLD) are set to be selected for the respective sides.

BRADMAN NOT AT HIS BEST

Less than 24 hours out from their Magic Round clash against the Gold Coast Titans, the Knights have confirmed that Bradman Best will miss the match with a calf injury.

With it being reported by club officials that the centre will be out for their next three matches, this rules him out of contention for the series opener.

Best last played for NSW in Game 3, 2024 when the Blues defeated the Maroons for the first time at Suncorp Stadium in a decider since 2005.

WARRIORS' TRIO SET TO RECEIVE CALL UP

Following their 7-2 start to the season, the Warriors are set to lose as many as three players to NSW for this upcoming Origin period.

News Corp's David Riccio has reported that Mitchell Barnett, Jackson Ford and Wayde Egan have been told by Blues officials to bring extra luggage, implying that they won't be heading back to New Zealand with their teammates.

While Barnett, who'll join the Broncos in 2027, is no stranger to the Origin arena, this would be the first time that either Ford or Egan has been called up for the series.

MURRAY LEARNS MRC FATE

South Sydney's Cam Murray will be free to play in Game I should he be selected after avoiding a suspension.

In the Rabbitohs' 32-10 loss to the Dolphins on Friday night, the lock was replaced on report for a potential hip-drop tackle.

But Murray's name was nowhere to be found in the charge sheet, making him available to represent the Blues.