Anthony Mundine addresses feud with Latrell Mitchell, looks to spark on-field reaction from Souths star

Anthony Mundine has once again weighed in on his ongoing feud with Latrell Mitchell, this time hoping his words can spark an on-field reaction from the Rabbitohs star. Watch Mundine’s latest response.

Former St George Illawarra and Brisbane playmaker Anthony Mundine is hoping his “emotionally charged rant” taking aim at Latrell Mitchell will spark the South Sydney superstar to the Dally M medal.

Mundine took to social media to address his war of words with Mitchell over the Ezra Mam racism controversy, which also included a pot shot at Mitchell’s on-field form.

It comes after Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said on Wednesday he was disappointed in the former boxer’s criticism of his star player.

“It was just … we have a difference of opinion on this issue. I wish nothing but the best for the brother. I just went on a rant that was emotionally charged,” Mundine said on Instagram.

“I feel it’s constructive criticism a little bit. Hopefully this can get him the Dally M. I believe he can be one of the best players in the world. He’s got to get the ‘eye of the tiger’ back though. Get the ‘eye of the tiger’ back, baby, and Souths can get another (premiership).”

The public spat between the two started after Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu called Broncos five-eighth a “monkey” during the season opener.

Latrell Mitchell has been very vocal in the aftermath of the Las Vegas racism incident. NRL Photos

At the time, Mundine said Mam should “toughen up”, claiming Lenui’s slur was not racist because he is of Polynesian descent. Mundine did not call-out Mitchell in his initial post.

Mitchell responded to that post calling Mundine’s take on the issue as “bullshit”. Only for Mundine to hit back telling Mitchell that he had not earned the right to comment on racism in rugby league and then took aim at his form, calling the Rabbitohs fullback an ‘underperformer’.

The Mundine-Mitchell feud started after the former boxer told Ezra Mam to “toughen up”.

Mundine said he took the potshot at Mitchell because the South Sydney star “went in on” him first.

“I just wanted to address this Latrell stuff for one last time. The brother, I didn’t shoot the sheriff, he came at me. He came at me, put a post up of mine and went in on me,” Mundine said.

“I’m not picking on no brothers. I’m for the brothers, I support them. But when someone comes at me, I have the right to defend myself and the reasons why. You know what I’m saying?”

Demetriou defended Mitchell on Wednesday, voicing his disappointment in Mundine’s online tirade against his star player.

“I’ve known ‘Choc’ (Mundine) since I was a 14-year-old and I’ve been friends with him for a long time,” Demetriou said.

Leniu pleaded guilty to calling Mam a “monkey” before being handed an eight week ban by the NRL judiciary on Monday night.

Originally published as Anthony Mundine addresses feud with Latrell Mitchell, looks to spark on-field reaction from Souths star