Barnett’s debut for the New South Wales Origin is imminent.

Mitchell Barnett, a forward for the New Zealand Warriors, has taken a step closer to making his State of Origin debut.

The 30-year-old was part of the larger 20-man roster for the first Origin match in Sydney on June 5 as an injury replacement; however, Blues coach Michael Maguire moved him up to the 18th man for the series’ second match in Melbourne on June 26.

In the Warriors’ NRL match against Melbourne at Go Media Stadium on Saturday night, Barnett once again displayed his exceptional skills. He made 140 meters, scored a try, a team-high seven tackle breaks, and 25 tackles with only one mistake.

Latrell Mitchell is the headliner of a slew of changes to the Blues. The South Sydney star was picked in the centres to replace the suspended Joseph Sua’ali’i, and he will play in his first Origin match since 2021.

Cameron Murray, Mitchell Moses, Dylan Edwards, and Connor Watson have also been brought in.