'He laid me out': Tradie preparing Latrell for Origin
If Latrell Mitchell can steamroll Valentine Holmes at the MCG next week he may have a Sydney tradie to add to his Christmas card list.
The superstar centre is preparing for his return to the State of Origin arena, having not played for the Blues since the end of the 2021 series.
Mitchell will line up at the left three-quarter position in Wednesday's second tie, which is a must-win for New South Wales if they plan on taking it to a decider in Brisbane.
Rookie coach Michael Maguire brought in western Sydney club St Mary's to run an opposed training session at NSW's Blue Mountains base on Thursday.
Concreter Semisi Kioa, 24, took the day off work so he could line up against Mitchell - considered one of the most lethal attacking centres in the NRL.
Latrell Mitchell and Semisi Kioa after their opposed session in Blues camp.
The pair went head to head and then snapped a heartwarming photo together once the session was done.
"Oh man, he was a handful," Kioa told 9News of his experience marking Mitchell.
"He's a big boy, seeing him on the TV and stuff.
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"Coming up against him was a good experience."
Kioa joked his own attacking talent may have sharpened Mitchell's defence up ahead of Origin II.
"He laid me out... then when I was about to come against him he was telling me to put pressure," Kioa said.
"I think his defence has got better since (playing) against me."
On Wednesday night it will be the job of Holmes to contain the recalled Mitchell.
The last time Mitchell played an Origin series he scored four tries in three games in 2021, leading the Blues to what was their most recent shield victory.