NSW Blues captain Isaah Yeo praised the selflessness of Latrell Mitchell after the superstar centre made the decision to withdraw from the opening State of Origin on May 27 at Accor Stadium.
Mitchell phoned NSW coach Laurie Daley on Sunday to advise his unavailability for Origin and South Sydney's Round 12 match against the Cowboys on Sunday after aggravating a back injury in Magic Round.
After missing last week's loss to the Sharks, Mitchell came from the field seven minutes before full-time in South Sydney's 32-10 loss to the Dolphins and told Daley he would not be 100 per cent for Origin.
The loss of the in-form Rabbitohs centre is a blow for the Blues, but Yeo said Mitchell's decision to provide Daley with clarity about selections for Origin I showed how much the NSW team meant to him.
"It was a really selfless act," Yeo said after learning of Mitchell's unavailbility when he came from the field at fulltime in Penrith's 26-6 defeat of the Dragons on Sunday night.
"I think if you asked him, there'd be no-one who'd want to play for their state more and particularly with what he's done in that arena."
"I guess that's where we're so lucky in Origin, in particular, for NSW that we have some real strike centres there that can fill a role there.
"I am disappointed for him because he has been playing outstanding and he's one of those players that gives everyone confidence on the field.
The NSW team will be announced at 7.30am Monday with Tonga international Tolu Koula among the new faces.
The Sea Eagles outside back is one of the fastest players in the NRL and Yeo welcomed his selection.
"He is incredibly fast, great balance, just a game breaker, he has X factor and is one of those players who if he actually gets in the clear and there's not many people stopping him," Yeo said.
"He has been outstanding and probably off the back of Manly's form as well since they've moved into the Kieran Foran era. As a team, they've been outstanding so I'm sure there's a few of them that probably been pushing for selection."
