NRL 2024: Latrell Mitchell with shift in attitude ahead of round 10 return for crisis-hit Rabbitohs

Latrell Mitchell is set to make his return for a near-unrecognisable Rabbitohs side on Saturday, with Ben Hornby saying fans will see a version of the star fullback they haven’t seen in a “little while”.

Interim South Sydney coach Ben Hornby has warned his depleted outfit against depending on a changed Latrell Mitchell to save their season.

Mitchell makes his anticipated return for a near-unrecognisable Rabbitohs outfit after completing his three-game ban for elbowing Warriors star Shaun Johnson in round five.

Hornby has seen a shift in the attitude of their star fullback, and believes fans will see a version of Mitchell they haven’t seen in a “little while” against St George Illawarra.

“In the last couple of weeks we have seen a real change in him, and for him it’s about going out there and doing his job as part of the team,” Hornby said on Friday.

“We can’t be reliant on Latrell to win us this game, he just has to do his job. Be the best Latrell he can be and the rest of the boys have to do the same thing.”

Latrell Mitchell was issued a three-match suspension for elbowing Shaun Johnson.

A whopping 16 players are currently unavailable through either suspension or injury for Hornby, not including winger Alex Johnston, who is on an extended bench.

That list includes skipper Cameron Murray (hip), Tevita Tatola (foot), Campbell Graham (sternum) and halfbacks Lachlan Ilias (leg) and Dean Hawkins (quad).

Youngster Dion Teaupa will make his debut at five-eighth, with Hornby opting against shifting marquee signing Jack Wighton out of the backline.

The 22-year-old Teaupa has represented Tonga in last year’s test series against England.

Dion Teaupa is set for his Rabbitohs debut at five-eighth. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“He is more of a running player, he will run the ball. He has weighed his time, he’s had a few injuries this year but he’s back now and ready to impress,” Hornby said of Teaupa.

Former Brisbane, Newcastle and North Queensland flyer Gehamat Shibasaki will make his club debut after only joining the club this week due to their injury crisis.

Shibasaki has spent the year with the Rabbitohs’ feeder club Townsville Blackhawks.

“(Shibasaki) was playing their best up there and they’re obviously an affiliated club with us so we thought what better chance to grow that affiliation than to bring him down,” Hornby said.

He might not be the only one called on.

Hornby confirmed former NSW Origin prop James Tamou could come out of retirement to answer another SOS depending on whether the Rabbitohs suffer any more injuries.