Fresh blow for Latrell Mitchell as Mal Meninga slams the door on Australian Kangaroos selection
- Mitchell has received an infringement notice from the NRL
- Expected to be suspended and fined
- Not considered for Australian representation duties
Mal Meninga has effectively ruled out Latrell Mitchell being selected for the Pacific Championships at the end of the year as South Sydney attempt to avoid him being suspended by the NRL next season.
Mitchell has stepped out of his moon boot and begun rehabilitation on his foot after returning to the Rabbitohs headquarters from personal leave.
Mitchell still faces a charge for breaching NRL regulations and there are questions over when he will receive a one-match ban, but scans have been positive on the condition of his foot.
South Sydney had long hoped Mitchell would return this season if they remained in contention for the finals after he was injured ahead of State of Origin III.
But even if fit, Meninga indicated on Friday that Mitchell will not be part of his Australian squad for the end-of-season Pacific Championships against New Zealand and Tonga.
“At the moment we don’t know for sure where Latrell is. But I don’t think he’s played enough games and is in a good enough state of mind to be able to participate,” Meninga said.
Latrell Mitchell, right, has been issued an infringement notice by the NRL after a leaked photo showed him with a mysterious white powder
Australian Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said Mitchell had not played enough games or was in the right frame of mind to be considered for selection
‘Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) showed again last night what a great player he is, he can play anywhere. I’m not entirely sure where Bradman Best is.
‘We’ve obviously got Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, he’s played centres. Kotoni Staggs has also had a great end of the year.
“We have some good players to choose from.”
Meninga’s comments come as the Rabbitohs work hard to ensure a potential ban on Mitchell by the NRL’s integrity unit over the white powder photo is enforced this year.
Mitchell was ordered to respond to a notice of breach of NRL law by Thursday evening after photos circulated last week of him standing over a white substance.
There is no evidence that the gunpowder was illegal.
While details of the sanction have not yet been released, AAP has learned the NRL is proposing a one-match ban for the fullback, plus a fine.
Mitchell is expected to receive a one-match suspension and a fine
South Sydney hope their star player will be free to play from Round 1 in 2025
Head office is also pushing for the suspension to take effect early next year, given Mitchell’s injury.
However, the Rabbitohs are adamant that any suspension should be served immediately so Mitchell can start next year under returning coach Wayne Bennett.
Souths are expected to raise issues in their submission to the NRL such as the suspension of Taylan May for an off-field brawl while he was sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
There are also numerous examples of players receiving suspensions for reckless behaviour on the field while injured, this year for example Parramatta’s Kelma Tuilagi.
South Sydney are also said to have the support of the Rugby League Players Association, meaning the matter is likely to drag on into next week.
Rabbitohs interim coach Ben Hornby declined to comment on the debate on Friday but said Mitchell had appeared to be in better spirits over the past week.
“The Latrell thing will sort itself out, the club will sort it out and then we’ll see,” Hornby said ahead of Saturday’s game against Newcastle.
“It’s been tough (for him). He knows he put himself in that position too. He’s starting to come out of it, he’s a lot better this week.”
Mitchell is expected to appear before South Sydney’s board next week over his behaviour, his ‘white powder’ image coming at the end of a year of drama.