NRL 2022: Latrell Mitchell shows off his new lean rig at Rabbitohs training

Latrell Mitchell has fired a warning shot at NRL rivals, showing off his lean new rig at training and revealing he is the fittest of his career. SEE THE PICTURES.

These are the pronounced images which show Latrell Mitchell is the fittest and leanest of his glittering eight-year NRL – and ready to rip apart rival teams over the back-end of this season.

Mitchell, 24, showed off his new rig at a South Sydney training session on Monday where he was formally ruled out of Thursday night’s match against St George Illawarra as a precaution.

The champion centre cut a svelte figure compared to his body shape back in round five, when he last played before sustaining a hamstring injury. Rival clubs know a fit, fresh and focused Mitchell could totally change the complexion of this year’s finals series.

“(Latrell) was saying today to the boys that this is the fittest he has felt in his career,” said South Sydney centre, Campbell Graham.

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Latrell Mitchell was back at training for the Rabbitohs on Monday, after recovering from Covid. Picture: Getty Images.

Mitchell’s adviser, Matt Rose, said: “I know he has that fire in his belly to have a big back-end of the year. Those end-of-season games, that’s what counts and that’s what he lives for those occasions, he lives for those big moments.”

Having battled to overcome hamstring injuries this year, Mitchell was cut down last week with Covid. With a short preparation before the Dragons, Souths coach Jason Demetriou decided to rest Mitchell and set the star player for the club’s huge round 16 game against Parramatta.

Mitchell appears fit enough to play the Dragons but Souths want to hold back their key man due a heavy back-end schedule. Aware their final month of football comprises massive games against Parramatta, Penrith, North Queensland and Sydney Roosters, Souths are remaining patient with Mitchell’s fitness.

Mitchell returns to Souths training looking lean after his return from the United States. Picture: Getty Images.

Mitchell says the trip to the US did wonders for him and is now the fittest of his career. Picture: Getty Images.

Having arrived back last week from hamstring rehab in America, Mitchell trained separately from the main squad at Redfern Oval on Monday. He engaged in some light sideline running alongside other members of Souths’ rehab team.

“I think the opportunity for him to go to America has done great things for him both physically and mentally,” Graham said.

“He seems to be in a really good place at the moment, he had a small setback with Covid but he hasn‘t let that derail his motivation to come back and play for us. If anything it has made him hungrier. All the boys are keen for him to get back out onto the field with us.

“His presence on the field brings confidence to our group and just knowing you have him out the back in shape, or even in defence, his presence in our ‘D’ (defensive) line is huge. I feel like that’s an area we can fix up and he is going to help stop us from leaking points.”

Souths teammate Campbell Graham says the trip was also good for Latrell’s mental health, and he’s returned with a hunger to get the Rabbitohs back into finals contention. Picture: Getty Images.

The Rabbitohs are preparing for Latrell to make his NRL return in Round 16 against the Parramatta Eels. Picture: Jonathan Ng.

Being ruled out of Dragons game will all but end Mitchell’s chances of being picked in the NSW side for State of Origin II in Perth on June 26. A big return game against the Eels would throw Mitchell squarely in line to be selected for Origin III in Brisbane on July 13.

Mitchell has only played four NRL games in the past ten months. He can now secure a 13-day preparation for the Parramatta match.

“Latrell will then have nearly ten games leading into the finals so, by then, he will be on fire. Taking the extra time to ensure he is absolutely injury-free is important to get the best out of him,” Rose said.

“If he’s injury free, he will kick on from there. He always strives to be at his best and it’s always hard to be at your best when you’re carrying injuries.”

Souths teammate Kodi Nikorima still hopes Mitchell, despite his inactivity, will be selected for Origin II.

“There are not many players that I would say could do it, but someone like Latrell probably could. He is one of the superstars of our game, I guess it’s up to our medical team and how he feels. He’d know himself if he felt right or if he didn’t,” Nikorima said.

“But would he need (game) time? I’m going to say no, he would be sweet. The other thing is Covid, I have experienced it too and it took me at least a month to get over it. After you have your first run back from Covid, you definitely feel it. That might be another factor as well.”