Anthony Albanese defends Latrell Mitchell over decision to not play for Kangaroos

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has defended Latrell Mitchell’s decision to play the Koori Knockout despite withdrawing from the Kangaroos squad.

(L-R) Anthony Albanese and Latrell Mitchell.

Prime Minister and South Sydney fanatic Anthony Albanese has thrown his heavyweight support behind Latrell Mitchell’s decision to play in last weekend’s Koori Knockout rather than representing Australia.

It comes after Souths angrily defended Mitchell’s decision to play after the club withdrew him from the Kangaroos squad due to a finger injury.

Mitchell sustained a tendon injury late in the season with Souths wanting their star player to recover throughout summer, rather than play a three Test tournament and, probably, a PM XIII game in Port Moresby.

There have media suggestions that Mitchell chose the Koori Knockout over representing Australia – but Souths have vehemently denied the allegation.

And now Albanese has defended Mitchell, saying: “It’s a matter for Latrell.

“But Latrell Mitchell is a proud, Indigenous Australian. The Koori knockout has a great history.

(L-R) Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind Latrell Mitchell.

“And people even after they’ve retired, I’m not sure whether GI (Greg Inglis) played on the weekend or not.

“He certainly has in the past. Yilleen Gordon, who’s got to be older than I am, was playing on the weekend or trying to go up to register to play.

“Look, it’s a fantastic celebration of First Nations people and at a time when First Nations people are the focus for the nation because of the referendum.

“It’s not surprising that people coming together to express that solidarity with each other and to enjoy each other’s company.”

The Rabbitohs have revealed another reason why Mitchell was pulled out of the looming Pacific Championships – an October 30 court case, the week of the final.

Latrell Mitchell playing for the Newcastle Yowies in the Koori Knockout. Pic: NITV and Fox League

Privately, Souths claim Mitchell only played ten minutes in one game – which only have 20 minute halves – at the Koori Knockout, a tournament on Central Coast where he wasn’t required to train.

That, Souths say, does not compare the three Test matches, plus rigorous training.

Sources close to the Rabbitohs actually applauded Mitchell for “giving up his time for his people” by participating in the Koori Knockout

Mitchell will have to focus on the looming court case, where he will fight charges of resisting a territory public official, fighting in a public place and failing to comply with an exclusion direction.

It stems from an alleged fight outside a Canberra nightclub involving Canberra-turned-Rabbitoh Jack Wighton in February.

Mitchell also does not want the court case to be a distraction for Kangaroo teammates.

A Souths spokesperson said: “Latrell’s finger injury would not have allowed him to train and play for the six weeks required for the PM XIII and Pacific Championships matches.

“The finger wouldn’t have held up to four games of international footy.

“He also has a Magistrates hearing on 30 October in Canberra that he will need to prepare for and focus on. It was a duel combination.

“We have spoken with the NRL and Kangaroo’s staff about this, and they understand and support the reasons why Latrell is unavailable.”

Souths have verified the severity of Mitchell’s finger injury which, ultimately, did not require surgery.

This masthead has previously reported that Meninga has no issue with Mitchell, more with Souths given they were responsible for withdrawing their champion fullback.

Souths are unfazed by Meninga’s criticism, claiming Kangaroos management did not inquire about the date of Mitchell’s hearing.

The hearing is set down for three days but legal eagles doubt it would run that long.

Wighton will formally join South Sydney, to play alongside Mitchell, on November 1.

Meninga named his squad on Tuesday morning.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese defends Latrell Mitchell over decision to not play for Kangaroos