‘Don’t lose it’: Origin legend Tommy Raudonikis’ challenge to ‘beautiful mongrel’ Latrell Mitchell

Rugby league legend Tommy Raudonikis has laid down the challenge to Blues weapon Latrell Mitchell to inspire New South Wales to a game one victory on the back of his “mongrel”.

Raudonikis told League Life that he “loved” the superstar centre, who he believes alongside David Klemmer most closely embraces the ‘Cattledog’ Origin spirit for which the 69-year-old is famous.

In a candid interview that will air on Fox League 502 at 8.30pm Tuesday evening, the former Test halfback and NSW coach said he was confident the Blues had all the makings of another champion Origin team.

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“I’ve got such a high opinion of Freddie Fittler, they will go well,” Raudonikis told League Life.

“And when you’ve got a bloke like Latrell Mitchell in the side, he’s mad. I don’t want him to lose his mongrel.

“Latrell, don’t lose that mongrel.

“He makes a few mistakes but he makes up for that. I love him. Beautiful. And that other mad bloke, the front row forward... Klemmer... big boofhead he’s got... love him.”

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Raudonikis believes he’s cut his cancer “in half” after agreeing to take an experimental drug last month. It’s given him more hope and more days than thought he’d had after he’d been told he couldn’t have any more radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgery.

He says he’s “still got a long way to go” and first up on his wishlist with this new-found lease on life: another State of Origin series win.

“I’ll get that Blues victory.”

Watch Yvonne Sampson’s special League Life interview with Tommy Raudonikis in full tonight on Origin eve at 8.30pm, exclusively on Fox League 502.