South Sydney Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell makes big call on Kangaroos end-of-season Tests

Mal Meninga’s Australian team stocks have suffered another blow with Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell facing end-of-season surgery that will rule him out of the Test matches.

Latrell Mitchell. Picture: NRL Photos

South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell is expected to withdraw from the Kangaroos team for the end-of-season Test matches against New Zealand and Samoa.

Mitchell carried a hand injury at the back end of the season that now requires surgery.

He is expected to inform coach Mal Meninga of his decision to pull out of the tournament on Tuesday.

Mitchell’s decision to withdraw from the tournament, rather than risk worsening the injury, is an indication of his determined approach to the off-season and to start next year with the Rabbitohs in good shape.

It now leaves Meninga without both Mitchell and Jack Wighton from his Kangaroos side that beat Samoa in last year’s World Cup.

Latrell Mitchell is carrying a hand injury. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

The Australians also have World Cup centre Valentine Holmes facing an integrity unit investigation after posting a photo of himself on social media of what appears to be white bag in his mouth over the weekend.

The Kangaroos play Samoa on October 14 in Townsville and the Kiwis on October 28 at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

Mitchell’s withdrawal could throw the door open for the likes of Newcastle’s Bradman Best or the Broncos’ Kotoni Staggs to win a Kangaroos jersey.

Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who was outstanding in State of Origin, is another strong contender.

Souths officials contacted Meninga on Monday to make him aware of the situation.

Mitchell’s revelation comes after a knee injury robbed Dolphins-bound outside back Jake Averillo an opportunity to make his representative debut after he was named in an extended Australian train-on squad alongside the likes of Zac Lomax and J’maine Hopgood.

This masthead revealed last week that North Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai and Gold Coast Titans forward David Fifita were also not considered because of injury.