NRL Round 15 2024: Latrell Mitchell stars as South Sydney Rabbitos win 22-12 over Broncos

A frustrated Kevin Walters has blasted Brisbane’s attitude and application after his team crashed to its third straight defeat on Friday night.

Latrell Mitchell has all but secured a State of Origin recall after terrorising the Broncos. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Broncos are set to crash out of the top eight after Bunnies bogeyman Latrell Mitchell ran riot to inspire a 22-12 boilover of bumbling Brisbane at Homebush.

A frustrated Kevin Walters blasted Brisbane’s attitude and sensationally admitted back-rower Jordan Riki should have been sent off for a late shot on Souths skipper Cameron Murray.

The brilliant Mitchell must be a NSW selection certainty for Origin II after lethal Latrell bullied Brisbane on a wet track at Accor Stadium to consign the Broncos to a third consecutive defeat.

“Our discipline has left us the last three weeks and we are paying a price for it,” coach Walters said.

“I’m frustrated, I can’t imagine how the players are, but we’re not right at the moment.”

Latrell Mitchell has all but secured a State of Origin recall after terrorising the Broncos. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Broncos (7-7) have already lost more games than their entire 2023 grand-final season and they will finish the weekend as low as 10th following Sunday’s clash between the Dragons and Manly.

Missing Reece Walsh, Adam Reynolds and Corey Oates, Brisbane’s completion rate (65pc) was woeful as Mitchell launched an attacking and bombing raid to claim his fifth win in six starts against the Broncos.

MIGHTY MITCHELL

In the absence of Brisbane superstar Walsh, Tristan Sailor’s fullback duel with Mitchell was a one-sided mismatch as the Souths showman posted a try, one line break, one try assist and four tackle busts in a 173-metre masterclass.Lowly Souths were simply sharper, faster and hungrier. Brisbane trailed 12-0 inside 18 minutes and when Mitchell steamrolled Kotoni Staggs and Jock Madden three minutes later, the Broncos were in tatters at 18-0.

JOCK SHOCKED

With skipper Reynolds (bicep) sidelined for another two months, pressure is building on Broncos halfback Madden to be a more forceful figure in the No.7 jumper.Madden was a Magic Round hero against Manly but over the past three weeks, he has struggled for penetration. His last-play options were below par and Brisbane lacked the direction Reynolds calmly provides, but Madden wasn’t helped by a Broncos forward pack that lost control of the middle third.

RIKI GOES TO THE BIN

Brisbane’s ruck and tryline defence at Homebush was insipid.

Damien Cook (13th) and Mitchell’s (21st) early tries were bargeover efforts from close range and Souths’ forwards had no trouble rolling upfield.

Brisbane’s sloppy attitude was summed up by Riki, who was reported and sin-binned for an off-the-ball shoulder charge on Murray in the 56th minute.

Replays appeared to show the contact was high as well, with Murray required to leave the field for a head injury assessment.

“I will have a discussion with Jordan,” Walters said. “I don’t think he will get suspended but a send off would have been sufficient.”

Selwyn Cobbo put in another ordinary performance for the Broncos on the back of his Origin heroics. Picture: Getty Images

SLOPPY SELWYN

After his Origin I heroics, Selwyn Cobbo had a tough night out. The 105kg centre crystallised Brisbane’s lethargy with four handling errors, including his first in the 20th minute failing to defuse a monster Mitchell bomb.

Cobbo left the field for a HIA in the 31st minute but was cleared of concussion in a relief for the Maroons.

Payne Haas was at his barnstorming best for the Broncos, but he can’t do it all himself. The Broncos clearly need another middle forward to step up. Picture: NRL Imagery

PAYNE-FUL REALITY

If the Broncos want to be a serious title contender this season, they need another middle forward to muscle up and help Payne Haas.

Haas is a champion prop but he can’t win games single-handedly and the departure of his former engine-room cohort, Tom Flegler, is being laid bare by the grind of the Origin season.

Haas made some powerful runs to finish with 125m and 13 tackle busts. But fellow starting prop Corey Jensen (54m) was barely sighted as the reborn Rabbitohs strangled Brisbane with their desperation.

Originally published as NRL Round 15 2024: Latrell Mitchell stars as South Sydney Rabbitos win 22-12 over Broncos