Save articles for later

Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was initially “surprised” Latrell Mitchell played in the Koori Knockout last weekend after South Sydney informed him he would be unavailable to represent Australia due to a finger injury.

But Meninga said his views had since changed after he was reminded about the impact Mitchell had on the Indigenous youth who attended the weekend tournament on the Central Coast.

The Kangaroos coach added the 26-year-old was “in need of a spell” after a tough year.

South Sydney informed the NRL a couple of weeks ago Mitchell would skip the Prime Minister’s XIII and Tests because of upcoming surgery.

What has also been overlooked is Mitchell and new Souths recruit Jack Wighton are due in court the week of the Pacific Championships final following a late-night incident outside a Canberra nightclub at the start of the year.

Meninga accepted that plenty of people would have questioned how Mitchell could pass on the green and gold, but then represent the Newcastle Yowies.

Souths ace Latrell Mitchell.Credit: Kate Geraghty

“I’ve had a think about it, and from my perspective, it’s more about what he can do for the Indigenous community, and giving his time back to the community and his time back to the First Nations people,” Meninga said.

“Latrell is a very proud Aboriginal man. It did surprise me he played, I won’t deny that. But I’ve simmered a bit.

“He must have got through the weekend OK, and now I hope he gets himself right, physically and mentally, and he explodes [on the field] in 2024.”

Mitchell missed a large part of the season with the calf injury he suffered in NSW Origin camp, just three days before the series opener.

Then there was the racial abuse he received from a spectator at Penrith in round two, talk of preferential treatment from Souths’ coaching staff – which was quickly shot down by club officials – and a talkback radio caller claiming his grandchild was told to wait for a photo.

Meninga had originally hoped some time away in Kangaroos camp would be the reset Mitchell needed.

“In this instance, the club made a decision on his behalf, and we’ll abide by the club’s decision,” Meninga said.

“He loves putting the green and gold jersey on.

“He has had an up and down year, we all know that. He’s been hammered from a mental point of view but also hammered with injuries, including the calf issue.

“It’s been a tough time for him, especially off the back of a World Cup. They played six games at the back of a long year, and Souths had also made the finals last year. There comes a time when you need a spell, and it’s his time now.

“I spoke to him. He was very keen to play for the Aussie team. But I didn’t know about his finger at the time, and the club ruled him out on specialist’s advice. He should be out six weeks. We went with that.”

Souths CEO Blake Solly was of the 10,000 fans who attended the Koori Knockout on the Central Coast, and had no issues with his star fullback taking part.

“Latrell had the club’s blessing to play in the knockout, and that tournament is very different to six weeks of training and playing international rugby league, which is what he would have had to do playing for the PM’s XIII and Tests,” Solly said.

“We spoke with the Kangaroos and NRL at the time, and they understood the reasons why we decided Latrell was unavailable.”

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newslette

Most Viewed in Sport

From our partners

Source: Read Full Article