Latrell Mitchell steals the show as Rabbitohs win 22-14 over Broncos

The Broncos and Maroons will be sweating after a key star came off injured, while Souths star Latrell Mitchell stole victory with a stunning late field goal and a cheeky try at the death.

Marquee Broncos recruit Ben Hunt is in danger of missing the Origin opener after Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell broke Brisbane’s hearts with one of the greatest plays in NRL history.

On a night of high drama, Mitchell blasted an epic 48-metre field goal to seal a stunning 22-14 come-from-behind victory for his injury-ravaged Bunnies at Accor Stadium on Friday night.

Mitchell’s magic was a hammer blow for the Broncos, who inexplicably blew a 14-0 halftime lead in driving rain at Homebush to crash to their fourth loss in five games.

To compound their misery, five-eighth Hunt hobbled off in the 67th minute and appears in major doubt for Queensland’s Origin opener against NSW on May 28.

Latrell Mitchell sealed victory for the Rabbitohs with a stunning late field goal and a cheeky try at the death. Picture: Getty Images

MIGHTY MITCHELL

Returning from suspension, Mitchell produced one of the greatest games of his career. Latrell could not have done any more to inspire the Bunnies.

With scores locked at 14-all with two minutes to play, Mitchell took the ball on halfway, took one step forward, then slammed a booming two-pointer that sailed 48 metres over the black dot to stun the Broncos.

“That is the greatest field goal I have ever seen,” Fox commentator Greg Alexander said.

Mitchell was everywhere. His trysaver on a runaway Deine Mariner in the 62nd minute was simply outstanding and it was his penalty goal that levelled scores at 14-all eight minutes later.

Then, as the full-time siren sounded, Mitchell burrowed over from dummy half to seal a famous Souths triumph.

SOS EZRA MAM

Hunt’s injury could open the door for controversial Broncos pivot Ezra Mam to make a swift comeback next week.

With Mam’s nine-game suspension over, he will return for feeder club Souths Logan on Sunday, but the Broncos may have no option but to recall him on Sunday week against the Dragons.

It was another mixed display from Brisbane’s halves. Adam Reynolds had better touches after his shocker against Penrith last week but Brisbane’s scrumbase needs some spark.

The Broncos and Maroons will be sweating on the fitness of Ben Hunt. Picture: Getty Images

CLASS OF COBBO

In a losing team, Broncos fullback Selwyn Cobbo was outstanding yet again, almost matching Mitchell with his backfield courage.

It remains mind-boggling that Cobbo remains off-contract. With every passing week, Cobbo’s price tag at fullback is soaring and if the Broncos don’t move quickly with a lucrative extension, they are in serious danger of losing him.

On this evidence, Cobbo is worth $1 million and more. Even allowing for three errors, the Cherbourg sensation was Brisbane’s best player. He ran for 176 metres and his split-second tap-on for Deine Mariner’s 36th-minute try to give Brisbane a 14-0 halftime lead was simply magical.

BRITTLE BRONCOS

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has some real issues with his pack. They aren’t firing as a collective.

Brisbane will argue otherwise but they are too reliant on Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan. Until other Broncos forwards muscle up, question marks will linger over whether they have the six pack to win the premiership.

Given Souths’ injury crisis, the Broncos should have stormed the midfield but the undermanned Rabbitohs largely held their own against Brisbane’s forwards.

Haas (149m) and Carrigan (162m) were typically busy but Brisbane need more from Kobe Hetherington, Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura. The Broncos are missing forward X-factor on the edges.

They are also missing a hard edge. Leading 14-0, the Broncos should have put Souths away but alarm bells are ringing for a Brisbane side that never really looked in complete control.

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell steals the show as Rabbitohs win 22-14 over Broncos