NRL 2024: Latrell Mitchell forced to wait on ban decision as Mal Meninga makes call on Kangaroos selection chances

Latrell Mitchell has accepted his fate but is yet to find out whether he’ll be suspended for the start of next season, while Mal Meninga has made a call on his Kangaroos chances.

Latrell Mitchell has returned to training but he will be forced to wait to find out whether he is sidelined for the start of next season as the NRL takes its time before determining when he will serve a one-match ban over the white substance scandal.

Mitchell had until Thursday night to respond to a breach notice from the NRL over an incident in Dubbo which prompted head office to slug him with a suspension and a $20,000 fine for bringing the game into disrepute.

It is understood Mitchell accepted the sanctions but the NRL is seemingly in no rush to decide when his ban will come into effect, preferring to adopt a patient approach to finalising his future.

Mitchell, who is recovering from a Lisfranc injury to his foot, has already been ruled out for the season by interim Souths coach Ben Hornby and Kangaroos mentor Mal Meninga on Friday suggested he was unlikely to figure in the internationals at the end of the season.

The NRL are keeping Latrell Mitchell in suspense as he waits to learn when he will be suspended. Picture: Getty Images

That shapes as a significant call for Mitchell and Souths given the NRL’s preference is for him to serve his ban when he is fit and available for selection.

Had he been in the picture for the opening Test match of the Pacific Championships, the NRL could have eased some of the tension around his future by deeming he serve his ban then.

However, Meninga has effectively put a line through him for the Kangaroos given he won’t play before the Test side is selected.

“At this stage we’re not sure where Latrell is,” Meninga said.

“But I don’t think he has probably played enough games and in a good headspace to be in contention. We have some great outside backs. Tommy Turbo (Trbojevic) showed again last night how great of a player he is, he can play anywhere.

“I’m not quite sure where Bradman Best is. We’ve obviously got Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, he has played in the centres. Kotoni Staggs has had a great end to the year as well.

“We’ve got some quality players we can pick from. We’re not down on depth. We are just missing some of our elite players to injury.”

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga admits Mitchell is unlikely to be selected for Australia for the Pacific Championships. Picture: Getty Images

Souths and the players union have made it clear they expect Mitchell to serve his ban as soon as it is finalised by the NRL, which is likely to be next week. The Rabbitohs and the Rugby League Players Association have pointed to a clause in the NRL Rules which states that the suspension much come into effect as soon as practicable.

Souths are also lining up sanctions of their own after issuing Mitchell with a show cause notice in recent days. He is facing a significant fine from the club and will be forced to front the board next week to explain his actions.

Ask about Mitchell on Friday, Hornby said: “He just has to be the best Latrell he can be – it’s as simple as that. He’ll help out where he can, but for him, it’s about getting his head right and getting himself in a good place.

“He’s been into training this week, he had his scan, it came back positive, so he’s out of the [moon] boot now. To go from being out of the boot, who knows how long it will take. It has been tough. He knows he’s put himself in that position as well.

“He’s been a lot better this week. He can get on the cardio equipment, but he hasn’t been able to run.”

Hornby would not buy into the debate about when Mitchell should serve his suspension.

“All I know is we have to play this week and try to win with the team we’ve got – the Latrell stuff will take care of itself,” he said.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Latrell Mitchell forced to wait on ban decision as Mal Meninga makes call on Kangaroos selection chances