‘Pull myself out’: Latrell Mitchell shuns Blues’ Origin speculation

Latrell Mitchell is back in the NRL after a long injury lay off but the 2021 Origin star has sent a clear message to Blues selectors.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 02: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs is interviewed post match during the round 16 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Parramatta Eels at Stadium Australia, on July 02, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell has starred on his return to the NRL but has ruled himself out of an Origin comeback.

Mitchell was considered one of NSW’s best in the 2021 series and would have been among the first selected if he didn’t injury his hamstring before the first match.

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But after a long lay off where he rehabbed in America to get back, Mitchell has revealed he has no interest in a late Blues call up.

Having run 142m and get his hand of the ball plenty of times as he helped his side to a 30-12 win over the Parramatta Eels on Saturday, Mitchell has backed Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton to do the job in Origin III.

This is despite a cheeky Instagram post earlier in the week that appear to be chasing a call up.

“I think I’m going to shut those headlines down now, I’m going to pull myself out and worry about Souths and focus on myself,” Mitchell told Fox League.

“They’ve got a real good team there, NSW, and good luck to them and Burton in the centres. Give Crichton a go too, let him bleed in. I really want to focus on South Sydney and getting myself right for the backend of the season.”

Mitchell had a massive smile on his face. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Mitchell said that he enjoyed being back on the field, having played his first match back since his round 5 injury.

“I really enjoyed playing rugby league again, getting out there with my mates and representing the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Mitchell said.

“I felt alright out there. I think it will be two, three or four more games (before he is back to full fitness). I am not here to break records, I am here to play for South Sydney and play my style of footy. I know where I have got to be and I will get there.

“I am really happy with the way I have prepared myself and got myself to a point to play. Twelve weeks is a very long time but mentally I ripped in and I got it done. It just shows out there.”

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said that he wasn’t going to stand in Mitchell’s way if he did want to play Origin.

“I’ll let him have those conversations with Freddy. It’s just exciting to have him back in a red and green jumper and I’m looking forward to the back end of the year,” Demetriou said.

“I’m not somebody who’s going to say you can’t play for the Blues. That’s up to him and only him ... he’s a big boy and he makes his own decisions.”

Latrell helped inspire the Rabbitohs to a big win. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Ahead 18-6 at half-time, the Rabbitohs proved a fortnight is a long time in rugby league and appeared to exorcise the demons which haunted them against the Dragons in Wollongong prior to Rep Round.

Rabbitohs fullback Mitchell, in his first game since April and in just his fifth showing in 2022 due to a hamstring injury lay-off and then Covid-19 protocols, wasted little time warming to the contest when the action turned hectic on a well-drained but still very muddy playing surface.

He grabbed a great confidence boosting sideline conversion following Alex Johnston’s first of two tries early on, and his attacking game looked like it hasn’t missed a beat as he contributed sharp lead-up passes during Rabbitohs attacking raids.

With James Smith, NCA Newswire