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The birth of his first son, Nate, helped convince Mitch Barnett that he needed to move to New Zealand to fulfil his dream of playing State of Origin for NSW.
The birth of his second son, Zane, helped convince Blues coach Michael Maguire that the Warriors forward was ready for the step up in next Wednesday night’s series decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Barnett will make his Origin debut in place of Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu after being a member of the extended NSW squad for the opening two matches of the series, including 18th man in Game Two at the MCG.
His selection is recognition of Barnett’s form for the Warriors this season and the sacrifices he has made to earn a Blues jersey, including missing Zane’s birth while he stayed in camp with the NSW team for a training session in the lead up to Origin I.
“We knew he was coming at that time, so I just had to train and get my job done here first, then go back to New Zealand,” Barnett said.
“I knew a couple of days before that I was going to miss the birth, but I had an obligation to the boys here. I was able to help my wife and son get out of hospital and get home and get settled.”
Maguire, who asked Barnett to stay in Sydney after last Saturday’s 13-12 extra time loss to the Bulldogs in which he ran 226 metres with the ball and made 56 tackles, said his sacrifice hadn’t gone unnoticed.
