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‘Don’t get it twisted: Latrell responds to Kangaroos squad speculation

Latrell Mitchell has hit back at speculation about his omission from the Kangaroos squad as it emerged he’s due to face court.

Mal Meninga was surprised Latrell Mitchell played at the Koori Knockout.
Mal Meninga was surprised Latrell Mitchell played at the Koori Knockout.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga admits he was “surprised” Latrell Mitchell played in the Koori Knockout, explaining he didn’t pick the Rabbitohs star in Australia’s Pacific Championships because he thought he was injured.

Meninga unveiled his squad on Tuesday for the upcoming Pacific Championships, which will see Australia take on Samoa, and New Zealand later this month.

Mitchell was part of the Kangaroos squad that won last year’s Rugby World Cup but wasn’t selected for the Tri-Nations series, with Meninga opting for Valentine Holmes, Kotoni Staggs and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to play in the centres.

Holmes will miss Australia’s first game against Samoa after he was handed a one-match suspension for posting a photo of himself with what appeared to be a bag of white powder.

Mitchell injured his finger late in the NRL season as his South Sydney Rabbitohs fell down the ladder to miss finals after being on top of the table earlier in the season.

So Meninga was surprised to see Mitchell playing in the iconic Koori Knockout competition on the Central Coast last weekend, where Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr was knocked out cold in an all-in brawl.

“South Sydney Rabbitohs said he was out because of injury. We have just gone with that,” Meninga said at the Kangaroos squad announcement.

Latrell Mitchell (right) playing for the Newcastle Yowies in the Koori Knockout. Pic: NITV and Fox League
Latrell Mitchell (right) playing for the Newcastle Yowies in the Koori Knockout. Pic: NITV and Fox League

Asked about Mitchell playing at the Koori Knockout, Meninga said: “I was a bit surprised, but I think the club gave him permission to do that.

“Knowing Latrell, he loves the Koori Knockout, he always gets involved. A very proud First Nations person. He has got through that tournament well and I look forward to him having a good off-season.”

Mitchell responded to the scrutiny around his appearance at the local rugby league competition, saying he wanted to give back to his community and it’s “not my time” to play for the Kangaroos.

“I play for my country because I love it,” he wrote on Instagram.

“It’s not my time to put the jersey on this year. It’s for someone that deserves a crack! I will be back.

“Koori knockout was to simply give back to so many that deserve it. I love my culture and my people. Don’t get it twisted.”

News Corp reports another reason Mitchell wasn’t available for selection was a court date set for October 30 — stemming from an alleged fight outside a Canberra nightclub with friend and new teammate Jack Wighton in February.

The court date falls on the same week of the Pacific Championships final.

Both Mitchell and Wighton played in Australia’s successful World Cup campaign but won’t feature in the upcoming series after down seasons for their respective clubs.

The Rabbitohs claim Mitchell only played about 10 minutes of a game at the Koori Knockout, and he is not ready to play three Test matches.

Latrell is said to be recovering from a hand injury. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Latrell is said to be recovering from a hand injury. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Apart from Mitchell’s absence, the major talking point from the Kangaroos squad was Meninga sticking with captain James Tedesco at fullback amid strong competition for the No. 1 jersey.

Broncos and Queensland star Reece Walsh, Dally M Medallist Kalyn Ponga and Penrith’s Dylan Edwards were all overlooked in favour of Tedesco.

Edwards, a key part of the Panthers’ premiership three-peat, is yet to represent NSW or Australia and is building a case for the best NRL player who hasn’t played representative football.

Nathan Cleary is also in doubt for the Kangaroos after it emerged the halfback may have suffered a MCL sprain in his knee from a Payne Haas hip drop tackle in the 10th minute of Penrith’s thrilling Grand Final win over the Broncos.

Kangaroos captain James Tedesco with coach Mal Meninga.
Kangaroos captain James Tedesco with coach Mal Meninga.

But Meninga is confident his Kangaroos squad has the talent to win the Pacific Championships.

“The quality we saw in the regular season, the State of Origin series and the finals series means we have been able to put together an outstanding squad,” he said.

“The squad has a healthy blend of representatives from last year’s World Cup, as well as others who have performed extremely well over the course of the season.”

The Kangaroos will play Samoa in Townsville on October 14, before taking on New Zealand in Melbourne on October 28. The final will be played the following week across the ditch in Hamilton.

Kangaroos squad for 2023 Pacific Championships

Josh Addo-Carr, Bulldogs

Patrick Carrigan, Broncos

Daly Cherry-Evans, Sea Eagles

Nathan Cleary, Panthers

Selwyn Cobbo, Broncos

Lindsay Collins, Roosters

Reuben Cotter, Cowboys

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Titans

Thomas Flegler, Broncos

Harry Grant, Storm

Payne Haas, Broncos

Valentine Holmes, Cowboys

Ben Hunt, Dragons

Liam Martin, Panthers

Cameron Munster, Storm

Cameron Murray, Rabbitohs

Kotoni Staggs, Broncos

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Dolphins

James Tedesco (captain), Roosters

Jake Trbojevic, Sea Eagles

Isaah Yeo, Panthers

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/mal-meninga-surprised-by-latrell-mitchell-move-amid-absence-from-kangaroos-squad/news-story/8e556d77b8814a40ca239858f93461d4