Souths make call on Blues superstar as key returns near
Scott Bailey |
Latrell Mitchell will back up from State of Origin for South Sydney, with the superstar fullback a confirmed starter against the Warriors.
Mitchell trained freely with Rabbitohs teammates on Saturday morning, just 60 hours after featuring in NSW’s series-opening win at Suncorp Stadium.
The Souths No.1 had always been keen to play straight away for the Bunnies, after flying home before the rest of the Blues on Thursday morning.
But the 27-year-old’s injury-affected start to 2025 had left some questions over whether he would be able to back up against the second-placed Warriors.
“He didn’t have any injuries,” Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said.
“It’s always good to have him back and playing for us. It brings a lot of confidence to everybody.”
Mitchell’s availability is timely for a Souths side that has been the most injury-ravaged in the competition over the opening half of the season.
Cody Walker and Jack Wighton are both set to return next week against Canberra, but will not recover from injuries in time to face the Warriors.
Hooker Peter Mamouzelos is also still out, while mid-season recruit at dummy-half Brandon Smith is at least a month away from his ACL rupture comeback.
Lock Cameron Murray is still aiming to return from an achilles injury before the end of the season, despite suffering a setback in his recovery in April.
But still, Bennett can see the silver lining in South Sydney’s predicament.
“This week’s the first time all season we’ve been able to pick the same team two weeks in a row,” Bennett said.
“That’s a plus for us. It’s looking a lot more healthy for everybody.”
Despite the injury hits, the Rabbitohs still entered round 13 in sixth spot and appear to have returned to form after losing four straight in April and May.
Sunday will mark Bennett’s 950th club match in in charge since joining Canberra in 1987, but this year already looms as one of the veteran coach’s greatest feats.
The Rabbitohs ran 16th last season, finishing only one win clear of wooden-spooners Wests Tigers before Bennett’s second stint at Redfern.
“They’ve been so consistent at not beating themselves,” Warriors coach Andrew Webster said.
“They are going really well. Wayne Bennett’s teams don’t beat themselves. High on completions, work hard, play the full 80 and we’ll have to be on our toes.
“It’s a good challenge.”
AAP
