Latrell Mitchell’s Return and the Controversy Around His Injury
South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell is expected to return from a back injury in time for Origin I for New South Wales, with coach Wayne Bennett revealing that the team’s most in-form centre was almost in tears due to the pain at half-time during a recent match.
Bennett expressed frustration over the NRL breaking the news of Mitchell’s injury before the club did, stating, “They aren’t great at holding secrets.” The controversy surrounding the timing of the announcement has sparked some tension between the club and the league.
Mitchell was ruled out with a back injury on Thursday, which was revealed by the NRL – not Souths – when debutant Latrell Siegwalt appeared in the No. 23 jersey on the official team lists. This led to some confusion and frustration among the Rabbitohs staff, who had been instructed to keep quiet about the change until it was confirmed.
Bennett mentioned that Mitchell received a cortisone injection and, while he will miss Saturday’s clash against Cronulla, there is a chance he could return next week against the Dolphins for Magic Round in Brisbane. “He’s got a bulging disc in his back, and he probably shouldn’t be out for more than a couple of weeks – I don’t think he’s in doubt [for Origin I],” Bennett said.
“He got some treatment for it and got a needle [on Thursday]. He’s reacted pretty well to it all. Hopefully we might have him back next week. If not, he’ll certainly be right for NSW; State of Origin is two and a half weeks away at least, so he’ll certainly be right by then.”
A Brave Performance Under Adversity
Mitchell delivered one of the great tries of the season when he charged over the top of Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga late in the game on Sunday, then reached out for the match-winner, only to be set upon by five Knights.
Bennett praised Mitchell’s bravery, noting that he was in significant pain at half-time. “He told me he was in a lot of pain, I asked him if he could carry on and he said he could,” Bennett said. “He got home and the following morning he could hardly walk. He’s been in a fair bit of pain most of the week. It was pretty brave. It probably didn’t help his situation this week. But we didn’t know at the time what it was.”
“He was close to tears at half-time – he went back out and we all saw what he did.”
Impact on the Blues and Team Changes
The likely inclusion of Mitchell is a huge boost for the Blues, who have several players unavailable through injury and suspension. However, the controversy around the NRL revealing the injury before the club has caused some frustration within the Rabbitohs camp.
Bennett explained that the club needed the NRL’s permission to bring in Siegwalt from outside the original 22-man squad, and were told to keep quiet until it was all confirmed. “The NRL aren’t great at holding secrets, and it wasn’t a secret either,” Bennett said. “I think it’s the club’s responsibility to nominate their players and when they’re in the team or out of the team. I don’t think it is an NRL decision.”
“There’s nothing about integrity that was being questioned there. But surely the club’s got a right to tell their people, or get ourselves sorted out here before we’re inundated with phone calls and the rest that goes with it.”
Such is Mitchell’s influence that bookmakers reacted to his withdrawal, installing Cronulla as firm favourites. Siegwalt will make his debut, with his family making the hurried trip from Queensland for the special occasion.
“He’s a very good athlete, very highly skilled, he’s got his opportunity, and I’m pleased for him,” Bennett said.
Siegwalt and halfback Ashton Ward, who plays his first game for the season after overcoming an ankle injury, were locked in a goal-kicking shootout after training, “only for a couple of other no-hopers turning up and trying to convince me they could kick as well”, Bennett said with a smile.
