Latrell looms large as Maguire mulls NSW changes

Michael Maguire's solution to save NSW's State of Origin campaign may have spent Saturday staring him in the face, after Latrell Mitchell put his hand up for a Blues return.

Maguire will on Sunday night name his side for Origin II at the MCG, after a nervous wait through the afternoon's two NRL games.

The Blues coach has had a good start to his weekend, with Cameron Murray getting through his return for South Sydney against Brisbane unscathed.

Fellow back-rowers Liam Martin and Haumole Olakau'atu have also been cleared to play for their sides on Sunday.

And Dylan Edwards has been named as a certain starter for Penrith against Newcastle on Sunday as he fights to win back the No.1 jersey from James Tedesco.

It is thought Maguire could make as many as five changes from game one, with decisions to also be made in the halves and over whether a utility comes onto the bench.

But no call will garner as much attention as what Maguire does with Mitchell, and whether he picks him to replace the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at centre.

Mitchell could not have made a more compelling case for an Origin return on Friday night, when he was involved in everything for South Sydney against Brisbane.

The Souths No.1 also picked up a contrary-conduct charge out of the match for inciting a melee after an illegal Jordan Riki hit, but can avoid a ban with a $3000 fine.

Latrell Mitchell made a compelling case for a Blues recall with an all-action show against Brisbane. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Mitchell was due to attend a function with Maguire on Saturday, with the Rabbitohs celebrating the 10-year reunion of their 2014 premiership-winning team.

The 26-year-old has not played Origin since 2021 due to injuries, but is favoured to beat out Bradman Best, Jesse Ramien and Kotoni Staggs to return to the Blues team.

"The opinion of Latrell hasn't changed inside our four walls. If I was (selecting the side) I would pick him straight away," Souths No.6 Cody Walker said.

"Because he's just got that aura about him. He's got that presence. I wouldn't want to defend against him if I was playing at centre."

Walker is only an outside chance of returning at five-eighth, after a calf injury ruled last year's player-of-the-match in Origin III out of the 2024 series opener.

Maguire will mull calling the fit-again Mitch Moses into the halves, and whether to keep Nicho Hynes or Jarome Luai next to him at No.6.

"I'm sure every player that's in contention would certainly put their hand up if they were selected or got that phone call," Walker said.

"I've always said I'm available if they need me. I love the Blues. I bleed blue. Been to Origin since I was eight, nine or 10."

Cameron Murray (centre) is in the frame for NSW for Origin II. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

Murray is South Sydney's other chance for NSW, confident his body would be able to get through the rigours of Origin after five weeks out with a hip injury.

If Maguire was to bring Murray straight back in, it would likely be at the expense of Cameron McInnes, Olakau'atu or Hudson Young.

Any of that trio could also be vulnerable if Maguire opts for a utility on the bench in the form of Matt Burton, Connor Watson or Siosifa Talakai.