Latrell Mitchell was larger than life and even though he was icing a set of sore ribs by the end of the night, he proved there just might be life in the Rabbitohs yet in mounting a nigh-irresistible case for a NSW Origin recall.
Mitchell produced a five-star showing as Brisbane were bashed out of the top eight on Friday night, with coach Ben Hornby conceding the star fullback “has got a bit of a sore rib”, though Souths officials were adamant afterwards that the issue won’t impact his Origin hopes.
Michael Maguire and Mitchell will both be in the throws of a red and green love-in on Saturday when the Rabbitohs 2014 premiership is celebrated, and could easily throw some sky-blue in as well given Mitchell’s dominance of a 22-12 triumph at Accor Stadium.
With skipper Cameron Murray also returning from a hip-flexor injury to push for an Origin II berth, South Sydney produced their best half of the season against a Broncos outfit that never left the gate.
By half-time it was 18-0 and by full-time Mitchell had been in the thick of anything and everything good, bad and in between.
Jordan Riki’s heavy second-half hit on Murray off the ball - which coach Kevin Walters thought he was lucky not to have been sent off for - earned both he and Mitchell a sin-bin stint, the latter for “completely escalating the situation” by running 30 metres to give Riki what-for.
Almost an hour earlier, Mitchell started his night with a lengthy break down the left edge and tapped once more into the effort areas he’s so often accused of glossing over.
Latrell Mitchell.Credit: Getty Images
When Souths couldn’t capitalise on the attacking set, Mitchell was huffing, puffing and fuming at fullback for the entirety of the next set, then went about ensuring any more chances weren’t squandered.
By full-time Mitchell had a try, try-assist, 14 runs for 166 metres with five tackle busts, seven kicks which caused Brisbane’s outside backs plenty of grief and four errors in a 70-minute performance that dripped with effort and commitment.
“I like it when he does all the effort plays like everyone does, Latrell knows that and he’s been doing that for a couple of weeks now,” Hornby said.
“I thought the case [for Mitchell’s Origin recall] was compelling three weeks ago when I said it. Has it got more compelling, I’m not sure?”
Murray too did his own Blues chances no harm in “blowing the cobwebs out” after five weeks out, the Rabbitohs skipper saying “I’ll never say no to a NSW jumper if I’m ready so I’ll just have to see how I go.”
Cameron Murray made a successful return from injury at Accor Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
Even with Richie Kennar sin-binned for an ugly high tackle on Selwyn Cobbo, the Rabbitohs didn’t concede points when down to 12 men and defended with desperation rarely seen this season, a root cause of their cellar-dwelling status.
With Mitchell, Cook, Murray, Cody Walker and Keaon Koloamatangi on the field and on song, they won’t stay there much longer. Jai Arrow clutching his wrist in pursuit of late Deine Mariner try was the Rabbitohs only concern for the evening.
By the end of the weekend Souths will be three wins adrift of whoever is sitting in eighth spot, though Hornby insisted a finals rally was not being discussed inside the Rabbitohs walls, only winning every game they play.
“We’ve seen, we’ve got good players, so if we train well and play well, there’s no reason we can’t win games,” Hornby said.
For the Broncos, their third loss on the trot will have them dropping to at least ninth come Sunday night, and their slide down the ladder is only gaining momentum.
Coach Kevin Walters will “have a discussion” with Riki around discipline given he will come under scrutiny from the Match Review Committee, before Brisbane reassemble after their upcoming bye.
“Our discipline has left us the last three weeks and we are paying a price for it,” Walters said.
“I’m frustrated, I can’t imagine how the players are, but we’re not right at the moment.”