Latrell Mitchell growing into No 1 role as Souths pick apart Warriors

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has refused to reveal why Latrell Mitchell left Bankwest Stadium in tears.

South Sydney fullback Latrell Mitchell gets a pass away against the Warriors at Bankwest Stadium on Friday evening. Picture: AAP

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has refused to reveal why Latrell Mitchell left Bankwest Stadium in tears after a leading his side to a comprehensive win against the Warriors on Friday.

In a match where Mitchell starred, stood accused of a high shot and even found himself involved in an alleged eye gouging saga, the biggest story still came afterwards – when Fox Sports cameras captured the Bunnies fullback in tears, both when leaving the ground and in the sheds.

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Yet when asked why his star recruit had been so upset, Bennett opted to give nothing away, saying “it’s got nothing to do with you”.

Shortly after fronting the post-match press conference, the Bunnies coach was asked if he could reveal why the 23-year-old, who orchestrated two tries in a stellar performance, was so emotional at fulltime.

“No, I’m not going to tell you,” Bennett replied, clearly annoyed. “It’s got nothing to do with you.”

Latrell Mitchell is consoled by Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett.

Told Mitchell looked visibly upset when leaving the field, the coach continued: “He may well have been but it’s got nothing to do with you.

“The change room to me has always been a sacred place. Unfortunately the game gave away a lot of our rights to those places.

“But in my mind, it’s a place where we can go and be who want to be and don’t have to answer to anybody.

“The fans would love to know a lot of things that we don’t tell them, OK,” Bennett continued. “They won’t be disappointed. They will understand my position.”

When asked to at least confirm if the incident involved something that took place on field, the South Sydney boss shot back: “Mate, I’ve just explained it to you.

“Keep asking the questions but I’m not going to answer them because I’ve got no more to say on it.”

Bennett’s decision not to speak came after an incredible night for Mitchell, which late in the game also saw him chase Warriors hooker Wayde Egan, seemingly upset with what appeared to be hands in his face while being tackled. The Bunnies No 1 could also face sanction from the Match Review Committee after an apparent high shot on Warriors winger David Fusitu’a – who never returned after halftime following a failed HIA.

While the incident was not penalised by referee Matt Cecchin, Warriors coach Stephen Kearney was clearly unimpressed, saying afterwards: “I didn’t know you could hit the head of player”.

Kearney also defended Egan against suggestions of eye-gouging Mitchell.

“Wayde Egan, he’s as good as they come,” he said. “So I couldn’t imagine that being the case. No way in the world. Kid from Lithgow, he’s a good lad.”

The flashpoint put a sour note on the night for Mitchell who has begun to find his groove.

In their first back-to-back win for the season, Mitchell starred with two try- assists in a slick performance at the back. Two bullet passes from Mitchell gifted Campbell Graham and Alex Johnston tries in the first half to set up an unassailable 22-6 lead at the break. The Warriors crumbled under a poor completion rate, maintaining their own trend of inconsistency this season.

Just three weeks ago the Warriors set an NRL record for most consecutive completed sets with 44 against St George Illawarra but they looked a far cry from that high standard on Friday night.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, AAP