A new baby, an Origin debut, and a rare NSW win at Suncorp Stadium … it’s been a hectic six weeks for NZ Warriors forward Mitch Barnett.
The 30-year-old didn’t miss his opportunity in his first game for the Westpac NSW Blues in Game Three last night playing 50 minutes off the bench, and making 30 tackles without missing any.
“Did I do all that?” Barnett said in the Blues dressing sheds post-match.
He did indeed along with Payne Haas and Isaah Yeo in having a clean sheet in defence. That all played a part in NSW winning just their third decider at Suncorp Stadium in 42 years, or since State of Origin became a multi-game series in 1982.
The other series wins in Brisbane were 1994 and 2005.
“We are a part of history and it’s the first major win in my career and also my first representative game so I can’t ask any more than that,” said Taree-born Barnett, who has played 160 NRL games for three clubs: Canberra, Newcastle, Warriors.
“I need to go back now and do my job for the Warriors if I want to be back here next year.”
Barnett was on the extended bench for Game 1 (5 June) in Sydney, and Game Two (26 June) at the MCG. He made a mercy dash back to Auckland ahead of Game 1 to try to make the birth of his second son, Zane, before returning to the Blues camp.
His oldest son Nate was born in January 2022.
While all that travel might not sound like an ideal preparation, Barnett showed commitment to both family and his teammates. Wife Clare and his boys were at Suncorp Stadium for Game 3.
“It’s such a proud moment to represent my family and play in front of my boys,” he said.
“Obviously my new-born won’t remember this but my eldest might.
“I brought him out onto the field and we got a photo together with the shield. It will be one of the best memories of my life.
“One day I’ll explain all about it – what we did here tonight and what it meant to the whole of NSW, as well as to us players.
“I’d been around all three camps so I had a fair idea what it would all be about. It was still very fast though.
“The best thing is you’ve now got a shared experience with the boys that no-one else can take away.
“We won a lot of possession and in that second half, we played the long game – got them in the end.”
