Latrell ices 49-metre winner as Souths down Broncos without $4m in talent
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By the time Wayne Bennett fronted for his post-match press conference, Latrell Mitchell's astonishing 49-metre Friday night field goal was already 'up to 55', in Rabbitohs folklore.
With newly re-minted prime minister, and South Sydney No.1 ticket holder, Anthony Albanese hugging the pair in the dressing sheds afterwards, the legend just kept growing.
And who are we to argue with surely one of the best match-winners the modern game has seen, securing yet another famous, backs-to-the-wall Bunnies win and a 14-point comeback against the Broncos?
Bennett is already sweet enough. But watching one of his all-time favourite players pull off an incredible 22-14 triumph against the Brisbane outfit he so loves beating, well, life just got sweeter.
'He just does what Latrell can do, that's what makes him such a special player,' Bennett said.
Asked if had seen a match-winner struck quite so long, Bennett could only chuckle.
'Not for a long, long time, no. He hit it so sweet and I don't think we thought it was going over there and all of a sudden we got excited.'
As has been the case all year, Mitchell was off limits to the media after returning from suspension with his State of Origin spot apparently on the line.
Again, Bennett could only laugh when asked if he could believe it's even a question. For the record he'd love to see Mitchell miss out on a Blues jumper, not because it would benefit Souths.
'Because I'm a Queenslander.'
Surely, it's a moot point considering Mitchell also led without the ball for 70-odd minutes. He drove South Sydney from a 14-0 deficit with the best part of $4 million worth of talent watching from the stands.
He then stepped up and won it off his own boot. Mitchell's strike from the halfway line never looked like missing. With three minutes left and his teammates losing their collective minds, Mitchell simply turned, stone-cold, and walked back to his mark as the Rabbitohs clambered all over him.
Just for the road, Mitchell added a try to make it 22-14 with the final play of the game. For the Broncos, Ben Hunt limping off late in the second half with a hamstring injury was a galling sight. On first glance, next week and perhaps the Origin opener on May 28 would seem to be in doubt.
All eyes were already on Ezra Mam's return to the game on Sunday in Queensland Cup. It's an even bigger watch now if Hunt is ruled out of a round 11 bout with his old Dragons outfit.
Michael Maguire was nothing less than fuming like it was 2022 and he was still coaching the Tigers as he deadbatted questions on both Hunt and Mam.
'I'll go through this game before we get to that,' was all he would offer.
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Maguire was right to be filthy given Souths really had no right to be pulling a dour contest out of the fire. Not with Cameron Murray, Cody Waker, Jack Wighton, Peter Mamouzelos, Alex Johnston and Tyrone Munro all sidelined.
But the Broncos, never sure things despite a dominant first half, were slowly worn down.
For all Mitchell's undoubted firepower, it was defensively where he stood tallest. A clutch try-saving tackle on Deine Mariner when he looked destined to score in the corner was Mitchell's best play since his last match-winning effort - that pass for Isaiah Tass against the Roosters - on the same turf a month ago.
It followed his stopping of a runaway Payne Haas when he was tryline bound. And a one-on-one strip from Brendan Piakura when the Rabbitohs No.1 had no right to rag doll the back-rower the way he did.
Mitchell had company too, with Jayden Sullivan thoroughly improved in defence and back-rowers Keaon Koloamatangi and Euan Aitken getting through a mountain of work.
Souths could barely fire a shot in attack throughout the first half, before Siliva Havili crossed to open the second as Brisbane's lead was slowly reeled in.
As unlikely as the Rabbitohs comeback was, the sight of Isaiah Tass trampling Kotoni Staggs to send Fletcher Myers on his way was just as unexpected.
Mitchell nailing the big moments though? By now, you can just about set your watch to it.
yesterday 9.49pm
Standing ovation for Latrell Mitchell from Rabbitohs crowd
Incredible stuff. South Sydney trailed the Broncos 14-0 at half-time. A week ago, they were hammered 30-4 by a Newcastle team that hadn't really looked like scoring 30 points all year.
But in the second half tonight they were terrific, and their main man Latrell Mitchell was in everything – try-saving tackles, booming bombs, the match-winning field goal and a bonus try at the death. What a player.
Last-minute try seals comeback win for Souths
What a comeback. And now the cherry on top. Latrell Mitchell, in the dying seconds of the match, is at dummy half and seems to 'play dead', kneeling down as if he's submitting to a tackle to soak up a few more seconds. The defenders don't react so he picks up the ball and barrels over the line from close range to cap a sensational comeback win.
yesterday 9.40pm
Hunt injured, Souths testing Brisbane out under the high ball
The Broncos have lost five-eighth Ben Hunt to a hamstring injury – bad news for tonight but not the worst timing for the club considering Ezra Mam is available to return next week.
We've already had two upsets from two games this round and one big second-half comeback tonight. Are Souths about to produce another?
More madness now as Adam Reynolds is seemingly trapped with the ball on the last tackle, only for the halfback to get an offload away and Kotoni Staggs to run the ball and charge 50 metres upfield, eventually brought down on the South Sydney 20 metre-line.
It's just about field goal time but the Rabbitohs are settling for booming bombs in the wet from Latrell Mitchell and Jamie Humphreys, and the Brisbane back three is struggling to defuse them. They get the ball back from one here, but the play fizzles out when Tallis Duncan grasses a sloppy pass.
yesterday 9.34pm
Latrell levels up the scores after disallowed try
Chaotic stuff here. Latrell Mitchell puts in a grubber kick, Selwyn Cobbo cleans it up, Mitchell strips it out, a Souths player throws an offload with his foot on the sideline, and Mitchell ends up with the ball and crashes over to score a try that is immediately disallowed.
But Souths get the scrum from the initial Cobbo knock-on and they quickly receive a penalty for a high shot. Mitchell knocks over the conversion and scores a level heading into the final 10 minutes.
yesterday 9.16pm
Bunnies in again with Tass special
South Sydney never really looked like scoring in the first half but they're much improved after Wayne Bennett's half-time team talk, this time Isaiah Tass producing something out of nothing on the left edge after busting past opposite number Kotoni Staggs. Tass linked up with his winger Fletcher Myers who drew the final defender and sent the ball back to Tass for a try.
The good news for Brisbane is superstar prop Payne Haas is back on the field after his first-half back complaints.
Broncos 14, Rabbitohs 12 after 54 minutes
yesterday 9.05pm
Souths strike first after half-time
The Rabbitohs make the perfect start to the second half, getting into attacking territory after a Broncos error. Then Jayden Sullivan makes a half-break but can't find a support player, before fill-in hooker Siliva Havili barrels his way over the line from dummy-half.
Meanwhile Payne Haas has returned to the sideline after halftime and looks to be OK. He's got through a warm-up again on the sideline.
yesterday 9.00pm
Stats snapshot as the second half begins
As Latrell Mitchell gets things underway for the second half, let's take a look at Brisbane's statistical dominance of the first.
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The Advertiser
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To'o backed to be fit but Blues keep Kiraz on stand-by
NSW winger Brian To'o is on track to overcome a hamstring issue and play in State of Origin II, but Jacob Kiraz remains on stand-by for a whirlwind debut. Coach Laurie Daley said he and his staff would make the final call on To'o's fitness after the Blues' final training session in Sydney on Saturday. The team flies out to Perth the next day with the hopes of sealing a series victory over Queensland. To'o pulled up sore after Penrith's defeat of Wests Tigers on Sunday and did not train with the team during Thursday's session in the Blue Mountains. The Blues are taking a cautious approach to To'o's fitness given two previous hamstring issues earlier this season, but are confident he will line up on the left wing at Optus Stadium. "He trained as well as what we wanted him today so he's on the right path," Daley said. "He'll be okay, if anything changes, it would be on Saturday because you want to make sure he has a really good hitout. But I don't think he's in any doubt." Kiraz was called in to train with the Blues on Thursday in To'o's absence, despite outside backs Tom Jenkins and Kotoni Staggs already being in the wider squad. In the event To'o is deemed unfit for Origin II, Daley confirmed Canterbury winger Kiraz would be rewarded for a fantastic season with a maiden Origin cap. "Most definitely," the coach said. "We'll make a decision one way or the other on Saturday." The Blues have already been granted an exemption to bring Jarome Luai into the team from outside the squad Daley initially named, with Mitch Moses now unavailable through a calf injury. They would need to apply for a second exemption if To'o is also deemed unfit. But the NRL is typically more lenient in granting such exemptions for Origin, given teams name only a 20-player squad rather than the 22-players for club games. There is also a sense the best teams possible should be available for Origin. The opposition is unable to challenge or query a team's request for an exemption, with the NRL assessing each injury on a case-by-case basis before having the final say. Kiraz will not be available for the Blues' training session on Saturday given the Bulldogs face South Sydney the next day. NSW winger Brian To'o is on track to overcome a hamstring issue and play in State of Origin II, but Jacob Kiraz remains on stand-by for a whirlwind debut. Coach Laurie Daley said he and his staff would make the final call on To'o's fitness after the Blues' final training session in Sydney on Saturday. The team flies out to Perth the next day with the hopes of sealing a series victory over Queensland. To'o pulled up sore after Penrith's defeat of Wests Tigers on Sunday and did not train with the team during Thursday's session in the Blue Mountains. The Blues are taking a cautious approach to To'o's fitness given two previous hamstring issues earlier this season, but are confident he will line up on the left wing at Optus Stadium. "He trained as well as what we wanted him today so he's on the right path," Daley said. "He'll be okay, if anything changes, it would be on Saturday because you want to make sure he has a really good hitout. But I don't think he's in any doubt." Kiraz was called in to train with the Blues on Thursday in To'o's absence, despite outside backs Tom Jenkins and Kotoni Staggs already being in the wider squad. In the event To'o is deemed unfit for Origin II, Daley confirmed Canterbury winger Kiraz would be rewarded for a fantastic season with a maiden Origin cap. "Most definitely," the coach said. "We'll make a decision one way or the other on Saturday." The Blues have already been granted an exemption to bring Jarome Luai into the team from outside the squad Daley initially named, with Mitch Moses now unavailable through a calf injury. They would need to apply for a second exemption if To'o is also deemed unfit. But the NRL is typically more lenient in granting such exemptions for Origin, given teams name only a 20-player squad rather than the 22-players for club games. There is also a sense the best teams possible should be available for Origin. The opposition is unable to challenge or query a team's request for an exemption, with the NRL assessing each injury on a case-by-case basis before having the final say. Kiraz will not be available for the Blues' training session on Saturday given the Bulldogs face South Sydney the next day. NSW winger Brian To'o is on track to overcome a hamstring issue and play in State of Origin II, but Jacob Kiraz remains on stand-by for a whirlwind debut. Coach Laurie Daley said he and his staff would make the final call on To'o's fitness after the Blues' final training session in Sydney on Saturday. The team flies out to Perth the next day with the hopes of sealing a series victory over Queensland. To'o pulled up sore after Penrith's defeat of Wests Tigers on Sunday and did not train with the team during Thursday's session in the Blue Mountains. The Blues are taking a cautious approach to To'o's fitness given two previous hamstring issues earlier this season, but are confident he will line up on the left wing at Optus Stadium. "He trained as well as what we wanted him today so he's on the right path," Daley said. "He'll be okay, if anything changes, it would be on Saturday because you want to make sure he has a really good hitout. But I don't think he's in any doubt." Kiraz was called in to train with the Blues on Thursday in To'o's absence, despite outside backs Tom Jenkins and Kotoni Staggs already being in the wider squad. In the event To'o is deemed unfit for Origin II, Daley confirmed Canterbury winger Kiraz would be rewarded for a fantastic season with a maiden Origin cap. "Most definitely," the coach said. "We'll make a decision one way or the other on Saturday." The Blues have already been granted an exemption to bring Jarome Luai into the team from outside the squad Daley initially named, with Mitch Moses now unavailable through a calf injury. They would need to apply for a second exemption if To'o is also deemed unfit. But the NRL is typically more lenient in granting such exemptions for Origin, given teams name only a 20-player squad rather than the 22-players for club games. There is also a sense the best teams possible should be available for Origin. The opposition is unable to challenge or query a team's request for an exemption, with the NRL assessing each injury on a case-by-case basis before having the final say. Kiraz will not be available for the Blues' training session on Saturday given the Bulldogs face South Sydney the next day.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
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Blues name Mitch Moses's replacement for Origin II
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It's the second time in as many years that injury has forced the Blues to turn to a player they initially snubbed, with James Tedesco coming in for Dylan Edwards to play fullback in last year's series opener. "Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said. "So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence." Luai played five-eighth in all three games of NSW's 2024 series win and has featured alongside NSW halfback Cleary at Origin level six times already. The pair also won four consecutive NRL premierships together at Penrith before Luai joined the Tigers this season. "Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said. "(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player. "He'll do a fine job." The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad that Daley had named on Tuesday. Luai's call-up means Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, considered the other contender to replace Moses, will remain 18th man. Daley defended the call to once again overlook Burton, who will watch from the sidelines as NSW's replacement player for a fifth time in seven Origin games. Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for the emergency role. "(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said. "He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success." Luai will arrive at the Blues' team hotel in Leura on Thursday afternoon, expected to bring his trademark high energy to a squad reeling from the injury. "He'll walk in and everyone will feed off his energy," Daley said. "I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes. "He's a guy that thrives in this environment. It's not an issue for him so it shouldn't be an issue for anyone else." Jarome Luai will replace Mitch Moses as NSW's five-eighth for the second State of Origin match after a calf strain dashed Moses's hopes of playing. Moses pulled up sore while running the ball during a training session at NSW's Blue Mountains camp on Thursday, injuring the same calf that troubled him earlier this year. The Blues have sent Moses for scans on the injury that delivers a blow to their hopes of sealing a series victory by winning Origin II in Perth on Wednesday. "It's terrible, isn't it? Mitch played really well in game one," said Blues coach Laurie Daley. "We're unsure of how bad it is but he won't be any good for Wednesday with the short turnaround." Daley called Luai on Thursday to ask whether he would be available after Moses beat him for selection in NSW's game-one win. Luai, who had just finished on the training paddock at Wests Tigers, answered Daley's distress call to reunite with former NSW halfback Nathan Cleary in the halves. It's the second time in as many years that injury has forced the Blues to turn to a player they initially snubbed, with James Tedesco coming in for Dylan Edwards to play fullback in last year's series opener. "Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said. "So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence." Luai played five-eighth in all three games of NSW's 2024 series win and has featured alongside NSW halfback Cleary at Origin level six times already. The pair also won four consecutive NRL premierships together at Penrith before Luai joined the Tigers this season. "Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said. "(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player. "He'll do a fine job." The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad that Daley had named on Tuesday. Luai's call-up means Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, considered the other contender to replace Moses, will remain 18th man. Daley defended the call to once again overlook Burton, who will watch from the sidelines as NSW's replacement player for a fifth time in seven Origin games. Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for the emergency role. "(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said. "He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success." Luai will arrive at the Blues' team hotel in Leura on Thursday afternoon, expected to bring his trademark high energy to a squad reeling from the injury. "He'll walk in and everyone will feed off his energy," Daley said. "I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes. "He's a guy that thrives in this environment. It's not an issue for him so it shouldn't be an issue for anyone else." Jarome Luai will replace Mitch Moses as NSW's five-eighth for the second State of Origin match after a calf strain dashed Moses's hopes of playing. Moses pulled up sore while running the ball during a training session at NSW's Blue Mountains camp on Thursday, injuring the same calf that troubled him earlier this year. The Blues have sent Moses for scans on the injury that delivers a blow to their hopes of sealing a series victory by winning Origin II in Perth on Wednesday. "It's terrible, isn't it? Mitch played really well in game one," said Blues coach Laurie Daley. "We're unsure of how bad it is but he won't be any good for Wednesday with the short turnaround." Daley called Luai on Thursday to ask whether he would be available after Moses beat him for selection in NSW's game-one win. Luai, who had just finished on the training paddock at Wests Tigers, answered Daley's distress call to reunite with former NSW halfback Nathan Cleary in the halves. It's the second time in as many years that injury has forced the Blues to turn to a player they initially snubbed, with James Tedesco coming in for Dylan Edwards to play fullback in last year's series opener. "Luai handled it (the initial rejection) with such class and he said if I needed him, he'd be ready to go," Daley said. "So when I rang him, he said, 'Sweet, I'm ready to go'. That filled me with confidence." Luai played five-eighth in all three games of NSW's 2024 series win and has featured alongside NSW halfback Cleary at Origin level six times already. The pair also won four consecutive NRL premierships together at Penrith before Luai joined the Tigers this season. "Back playing together, there'd be an energy and a synergy there," Daley said. "(Luai) played there last year, has got a good combination with Nathan and he's that left-side player. "He'll do a fine job." The NRL has already granted the Blues an exemption to bring Luai into the team from outside the 20-man squad that Daley had named on Tuesday. Luai's call-up means Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton, considered the other contender to replace Moses, will remain 18th man. Daley defended the call to once again overlook Burton, who will watch from the sidelines as NSW's replacement player for a fifth time in seven Origin games. Burton's ability to cover the outside backs and halves has made him a favoured choice for the emergency role. "(Burton) would be disappointed, you'd want him to be disappointed, but he gives us a bit more versatility in that 18th-man role," Daley said. "He can play a few more positions. I just think Jarome and Nathan's combination, they've had so much success." Luai will arrive at the Blues' team hotel in Leura on Thursday afternoon, expected to bring his trademark high energy to a squad reeling from the injury. "He'll walk in and everyone will feed off his energy," Daley said. "I don't think anything fazes Jarome. He's always up for a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the better he goes. "He's a guy that thrives in this environment. It's not an issue for him so it shouldn't be an issue for anyone else."
The Advertiser
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- The Advertiser
Setback for Sydney Roosters gun as comeback delayed
Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training. Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week. But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip. The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover. Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday. The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period. The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday. They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series. Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training. Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week. But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip. The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover. Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday. The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period. The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday. They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series. Sam Walker's long-awaited NRL comeback has been delayed by a thumb injury suffered at Sydney Roosters training. Saturday's game against Newcastle was due to be Walker's first in the top grade since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and playing NSW Cup last week. But AAP has been told the 22-year-old hurt his thumb at training this week and is set to be ruled out of the round-15 away trip. The Roosters are yet to publicly confirm Walker's return-to-play timeline, but it is likely he will need multiple weeks to recover. Sandon Smith looks set to move from the bench to partner impressive rookie Hugo Savala in the Roosters' starting halves on Saturday. The injury is a big blow to the 10th-placed Roosters, who are fighting to keep pace with the top eight and were hoping Walker could help them navigate the difficult State of Origin period. The Roosters' five Origin representatives makes them the equal-most decimated club for the second match of the series, to be played in Perth on Wednesday. They will need to fire without their Origin representatives and possibly also Walker ahead of Origin III as well, given they do not have the bye in round 18 - the weekend before the final match of the series.
