What’s The Buzz: Latrell Mitchell’s act of kindness for young Rooster

Forget the Souths-Roosters rivalry and hatred, forget Latrell Mitchell’s bitter departure from the club – this is the story that illustrates Mitchell’s true colours.

Latrell Mitchell will more than likely be embarrassed that we’re telling this story.

There were no cameras around, no media minders, officials or player managers.

It’s an important story because it shows another side to the superstar South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback that will make all rugby league fans proud.

Last week Latrell was driving along Anzac Parade at Kensington when he noticed a young footy player in a Sydney Roosters outfit waiting at a bus shelter to get to training at Matraville.

It was Harold Mathews (Under 17s) five-eighth Kahu Capper, a young Kiwi and Waverley College student who lives in the Roosters academy for their elite juniors.

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Latrell Mitchell took time out of his day to help a youngster.

We’ll let Kahu’s dad, Wayne, take up the story.

“Latrell saw him waiting for the bus, just like he used to when he was a youngster at the Roosters,” Wayne said.

“He pulled over in his ute then reversed back to the bus stop, wound down the passenger window and called out: ‘Hey bra jump in, I’ll drop you to training.’

“My son couldn’t believe it. Latrell was asking all the questions. Where do you come from, what school do you go to, what position do you play? He was awesome.

“He said he remembered waiting at that same bus stop when he was starting out in the Roosters system. He was the same age and had the same dreams.

“Latrell came from Taree, my son comes from New Zealand. Another young fella trying to make it in the big city. It’s a beautiful story about a great man.”

Sydney Roosters Harold Mathews five-eighth Kahu Capper.

Kahu is one of a dozen elite juniors who live in club accommodation in the area while attending school and preparing for careers in the NRL.

The 16-year-old says he was blown away when Latrell pulled over.

“He’s not hard to recognise and I couldn’t believe it,” Kahu said, “He knew I was a Roosters junior from the training gear and for the whole trip he was asking about my life, the similarities when he was 16 and offering me a few tips. It was just unreal.”

Latrell has never been one to seek publicity.

We only heard about this kind act via Roosters Harold Matthews assistant coach Taite Barnes, who thought it was a story that should be told.

That his bitter departure from the Roosters a couple of years back didn’t matter.

Forget the Souths-Roosters rivalry and hatred. He just wanted to help out the kid.

It is a significant story for your columnist because I have been one of his harshest critics around his attitude and on-field behaviour in recent years.

Every now and then it doesn’t hurt to concede that you’ve got it wrong.

Latrell is obviously a really decent person.

Originally published as What’s The Buzz: Latrell Mitchell’s act of kindness for young Rooster