Latrell Mitchell Breaks Down In Tears After Emotional State Of Origin Victory

What. A. Performance.

James Tedesco may have been awarded Man of the Match, but it was Latrell Mitchell who stole the show.

The New South Wales centre was in the thick of the action during State of Origin Game 2, producing a one-on-one strip to set up the opener before bagging a full-field try of his own.

Mitchell's stellar individual performance helped guide the Blues to an emphatic victory whereby they condemned Queensland to their first ever zero points loss at Suncorp Stadium - yes, really.

It also helped New South Wales clinch the series still with a game to go.

And with emotions riding high, Mitchell was struggling to fight back the tears during his side's on-field celebrations.

Clearly overwhelmed, Mitchell was embraced by his New South Wales teammates at full-time as one of rugby league's greatest redemption stories reached completion.

Remember, it was only a few years back that Mitchell was publicly snubbed by New South Wales.

After a poor showing in Game 1 of the 2019, New South Wales head coach Brad Fittler decided to drop his star centre from the squad.

With Mitchell watching from home, the Blues went on to win that series in - you guessed it - Brisbane.

Now, two years down the line on the hollowed turf of Suncorp Stadium, Mitchell has well and truly come full circle and his second coming in Origin may well be even more frightening than his first.

"Obviously it wasn't smooth sailing there for a long time because his last game here wasn't a great one and we sort of parted ways for a while but he has been absolutely fantastic," NSW head coach Brad Fittler said of Mitchell post-game.

"When we get to see him play on this stage I think everyone appreciates that so we definitely want to see it more."

Unfortunate to miss out on the Man of the Match accolade for both Game 1 and 2?

We think so.

But that aside, Mitchell certainly left a lasting impression on everyone watching.

"To Latrell's credit," Fox League's Mick Ennis said.

"you look at that opening half-an-hour of footy and his ability to inject himself in three or four really big Origin-type plays - plays that were the reason he was left out of the side.

"We've heard Greg Alexander and Brad Fittler talk about moments where he just drifted in and out.

"They left him out of the side for a number of years, but his burning desire to develop and to dominate on the big stage has come to fruition in the last two outings.

"He's been incredible. That opening 40 minutes from Latrell tonight, just stamped his authority at the Origin arena."

Topics: Latrell Mitchell, Rugby League, nrl, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry