Wayne Bennett on unleashing Latrell Mitchell, Josh Schuster lifeline and Cody Walker extension

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett took the Rabbitohs to task in his first meeting back at the club. Now, in an exclusive interview, the super coach has revealed his plans for Latrell Mitchell and why he signed Josh Schuster.

Josh Schuster. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Wayne Bennett says he wants to sign Cody Walker to a new deal and has outlined plans to unleash Latrell Mitchell as Souths bosses backed the super coach to lead a Rabbitohs revival next season.

Buoyed by his visit to Souths’ $25 million headquarters, Bennett declared he would be an “idiot” to change Mitchell’s playing style and is adamant he can save the career of Manly reject Josh Schuster.

Bennett will formally start at Redfern on November 1 and he laid down a cultural marker when he addressed three groups of employees - including the NRL squad - in separate meetings at Maroubra last Wednesday.

Bennett has unfinished business at South Sydney. His final game in his first stint at the club was Souths’ 2021 grand final loss to Penrith and Bennett returns to Redfern determined to deliver the Rabbitohs’ 22nd title and break his personal 15-year premiership coaching drought.

The Rabbitohs were a club in crisis after sacking Jason Demetriou in May and Souths co-owner Russell Crowe is banking on Bennett’s second coming to reconstruct the Pride of the League as a title force in 2025.

“There was a tremendous vibe in the building having Wayne Bennett back,” Souths CEO Blake Solly said.

WALKER’S ON

Souths have no recognised halfback next season. Englishman Lewis Dodd arrives from St Helens as an unknown quantity and that puts pressure on ageing playmaker Cody Walker to step up as the main man.

Traditionally a five-eighth, Walker was moved to halfback and played 10 games in the No.7 jumper, a positional shift that couldn’t stop the Rabbitohs finishing second last this season.

Walker turns 35 in January and is off-contract next season, but Bennett is adamant about two things. One, Walker isn’t a spent force in the NRL. And, two, the 212-game champion will be playing second receiver in 2025, with Jack Wighton set for a return to the centres.

“Cody will be playing six,” Bennett said.

Wayne Bennett (R) believes Cody Walker’s career is far from over. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“He played a bit of seven this year but he had to play there to help them out.

“He did a good job at halfback, but I think he’s a better five-eighth.”

Walker didn’t make his NRL debut until age 26 and Bennett believes his late-blooming career can see the former NSW Origin pivot emulate Cam Smith by playing beyond his 37th birthday.

Bennett is keen to sign the Indigenous ace for at least another 12 months in 2026.

“Cody plays to a very high standard so I don’t see any reason why he can’t continue,” Bennett said.

“It won’t continue forever, I know that, but Cameron Smith showed us all you can play NRL at 37 and go well into your 30s.

“If Cody is enjoying it, it doesn’t have to be his last year.

“Cliff Lyons (Manly legend who retired from the NRL just shy of his 38th birthday) was a wonderful player and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was still playing.

“There are more 300-game players than ever, guys are playing much later in their careers because of the training and the high-performance programs.

“Cody hasn’t had a lot of injuries in his career, so his body is in pretty good shape.

“He is a great professional so I don’t think next year will be his last year.”

FIXING LATRELL

Bennett scoffs at suggestions Latrell Mitchell has too much power at South Sydney. The champion fullback was outstanding under Bennett in Souths’ charge to the 2021 decider and if anyone can get Mitchell firing again next season, it’s the newly-minted Hall of Fame super coach.

Mitchell is under enormous pressure to hit back in 2025 following the white-substance scandal and there has been a push for pocket rocket Jye Gray to unseat Latrell as Souths fullback.

But Bennett is backing Mitchell to fire. He knows what makes the Indigenous role model tick. The seven-time premiership-winner says he won’t be tinkering with Mitchell’s game, nor axing him as fullback. He says the 27-year-old will get Bennett’s full backing to play the Latrell Way.

“I’m not an idiot,” he said.

Wayne Bennett says he’d be an “idiot” to shackle Latrell Mitchell. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

“I won’t be changing Latrell. I will just let him play, that’s what he does best.”

Mitchell played just 11 games this year - the lowest single-season output of his NRL career - and Bennett says he will expect the NSW Origin star to hit the ground running in pre-season.

“Latrell is fine, he doesn’t need surgery,” he said.

“He is all good, so he’ll start pre-season with everyone else.

“I don’t know much about Jye Gray, I haven’t worked with him, so I will see what he’s got and what he doesn’t have, but Latrell will be our fullback.

“I’m looking forward to reuniting with Latrell and all the guys down there.

“It’s a great club.”

SAVING SCHUSTER

Josh Schuster arrives at Redfern with his career at the crossroads. The 23-year-old was a highly-paid flop at Manly and copped brickbats for his weight issues and attitude to training.

Bennett has a history of resurrecting lost souls - he turned Jamie Soward into a premiership winner and State of Origin player at the Dragons - and he is ready to gamble on Schuster.

“I gave him a chance because I knew he has a lot of football ability, simple as that,” he said.

“He wanted to come to Souths and the money’s not ridiculous.

“He just wants a chance and I’ll give it to him. He’s only a young man, so he’s not finished at all.

“I met with him when I was down there last week. I said hello to him. It was a short conversation. I told him I was pleased he made the decision to come to Souths and he looked in great shape and happy.

“He was very well mannered and respectful. That’s the one conversation I’ve had with him.”

Bennett had no issues handing Josh Schuster a rugby league lifeline. Picture: McCawley/Getty Images

The Samoan Test rookie has the skill set to play five-eighth, lock or second row. Bennett says the pre-season will determine which position Schuster plays - or whether he is good enough for Souths’ top 17.

“I haven’t worried about his position too much, that will sort itself out,” he said.

“He is highly skilled and can play a number of positions.

“His manager came to us about a month ago. He has some real talent so I feel I can get something out of him. I don’t know where he plays. He is a big man. He didn’t look unfit, so we’ll see how it goes at training, what I think he can do and can’t do and go from there.

“I’m not doubting his talent. He is going to get an opportunity with Souths.

“My mindset with him is he just needs a second chance. He is a young man. He had time to sit out and got plenty of publicity he wouldn’t have enjoyed so I’m giving him another chance.”

THE CEO

Souths boss Solly enjoys a close working relationship with Bennett. He is adamant the seven-time premiership winner, who turns 75 in January, can make the Rabbitohs an instant finals contender.

When Bennett addressed staff last week, the group left the meetings cheering and stamping their feet. That is the power of Bennett’s aura and ability to sell a message of hope.

“Everyone from the administrative staff to the performance staff were excited to see him,” Solly said.

“After the Dolphins’ season finished, it was the first time Wayne had a chance to tour the facility here at Heffron Park and meet some of the existing staff and new staff.

“Wayne’s great asset is his experience, his wisdom and just the stability he will provide across the club.

“We can’t wait to have him back down and start in earnest in November.”

Asked if Bennett can get the best out of Mitchell, Solly said: “I don’t think it’s about getting the best out of Latrell, he has a track record over a long period of getting the best out of everyone.

“What people don’t see enough of with Wayne is not only him getting the best out of players, but getting the best out of staff and an organisation as well.

“Wayne had three separate meetings. He had a meeting with the playing group, the coaching-and-performance staff and the admin staff.

“I wasn’t in the players meeting so I’m not sure what he said.

“The finals are a realistic target. We had a lot of challenges this year, injuries specifically.

“But if we can keep our best players on the field with Wayne back, the finals are absolutely achieveable.”