As the State of Origin opener approaches, Latrell Mitchell’s calf injury sidelines him while Stephen Crichton prepares to step in amidst doubts about Nathan Cleary’s wisdom tooth infection.

Brad Fittler, the New South Wales Origin coach, has confirmed Mitchell’s calf strain and told how “Latrell unselfishly just said he mostly wasn’t going to be one hundred per cent… and thought it was better for the team that ‘Critter’ play.”

Fittler also added that Nathan Cleary’s tooth issue is long-standing and non-problematic: “It’s not going to stop him at all.”

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