Mitchell set to return in fittest condition of his career
South Sydney’s Tevita Tatola says returning superstar Latrell Mitchell looks in the fittest condition of his career as he returns to the Rabbitohs’ side.
South Sydney prop Tevita Tatola has warned the entire NRL of Latrell Mitchell’s impending return, declaring the superstar fullback looks “the fittest I’ve ever seen him”.
Mitchell hasn’t played since round five when he hurt his hamstring and travelled to America for specialised treatment in that time, while his return was further delayed by a bout with COVID.
But the Rabbitohs will name him for their clash with Parramatta, with Tatola saying it’s been worth the wait with the 25-year-old looking in pristine condition.
If Mitchell looks as good against the Eels as Tatola has indicated, it would also create a huge State of Origin selection headache for NSW coach Brad Fittler.
“He’s looking in good shape, he’s getting around the park really well, and his talk is immense at the moment,” Tatola told reporters.
“Everyone’s pretty keen to have him out there and we’re looking forward to him playing as well.
“He’s probably the energy bunny that we sort of need … we’re all just really keen for him to get back out there and play with him.”
The Blues’ regular left centre has been covered by Jack Wighton and Matt Burton in Origin games one and two respectively and both shone, meaning Fittler would have a tough gig fitting all three into the line-up for the series decider should Mitchell prove his fitness.
Stephen Crichton played at right centre in game two and looks at risk of losing his spot after a quiet outing.
But at club level, Mitchell’s return is a monumental boost for a Rabbitohs’ side quickly losing touch with the competition’s elites and Eels back-rower Isaiah Papali’i expects they will be eager to hand Mitchell a win.
“They’re going to play with a lot of confidence,” he said.
“Having Latrell added back into the team that’s something they’ll really look forward to.
“I’ve seen his Instagram, he’s been training hard and he’s looking good. I look forward to going up against him.”
But Parramatta young gun Will Penisini said he and his teammates wouldn’t be overawed by the return of South Sydney’s marquee man.
“We’re just focusing on ourselves at the moment,” he said.
“We’ve been up and down a bit this season but we’re looking forward to the second half of the year.”
Meanwhile, Souths’ prop Tom Burgess said young halfback Lachlan Ilias was ready to perform after being unceremoniously hooked on 29 minutes in a 32-12 loss to St George Illawarra.
Souths’ coach Jason Demetriou has since said he still views Ilias as the side’s long-term halfback.
“He’s took it on the chin … he’s understood with Jason what he needed to work on and he’s obviously come in this week and it’s totally fine,” Burgess told reporters.
“He just wanted to get better and he’s not dwelling on it, he just wants to learn from it and take it as a lesson and move forward.
“People forget he’s in probably his first full year at halfback.”
By: Alex Mitchell and Jasper Bruce, AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
235 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
20 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
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