One New Zealand Warriors forward Mitchell Barnett has tonight been named to make his New South Wales debut in the State of Origin series decider against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.
After being on the extended bench for the first two matches, the 30-year-old has now been brought onto the interchange by Blues coach Michael Maguire.
Barnett produced an extraordinary performance in the Warriors' heartbreaking 12-13 golden point loss to Canterbury Bankstown in Sydney yesterday.
Playing all but six minutes of the possible 89 minutes, he finished with 226 metres from 24 runs, 86 post-contact metres, a try assist, five tackle breaks, five off loads and 56 tackles with just two misses.
After making five changes for game two in Melbourne, Maguire has recalled Newcastle centre Bradman Best in place of the injured Latrell Mitchell, while Barnett replaces interchange forward Haumole Olakau'atu.
Barnett becomes the eighth player to represent at Origin level as a One New Zealand Warriors player.
ORIGIN III | NEW SOUTH WALES |
|---|
| 1 Dylan Edwards (Panthers) 2 Brian To'o (Panthers) 3 Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) 4 Bradman Best (Knights) 5 Zac Lomax (Dragons) 6 Jarome Luai (Panthers) 7 Mitchell Moses (Eels) 8 Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles) captain 9 Reece Robson (Cowboys) 10 Payne Haas (Broncos) 11 Liam Martin (Panthers) 12 Angus Crichton (Roosters) 13 Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) Interchange: 14 Connor Watson (Roosters) 15 Isaah Yeo (Panthers) 16 Mitchell Barnett (One New Zealand Warriors) 17 Spencer Leniu (Roosters) |
