South Sydney boss Shane Richardson declares the Rabbitohs will not give up on Latrell Mitchell

Despite his lacklustre start to the season, the Rabbitohs remain committed to Latrell Mitchell with South Sydney planning to take up the option in his contract for 2021.

Latrell Mitchell In action during the Round 2 NRL game between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. Pics Adam Head

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Shane Richardson has handed Latrell Mitchell a much needed confidence boost ahead of this week’s showdown against the Sydney Roosters, declaring South Sydney would not back away from extending Latrell’s contract for next season.

It comes as Wayne Bennett remains steadfast that he will not be moving his star fullback back into the centres when Latrell takes on his former club for the first time this Friday night.

And ahead of what is sure to be another intense week for the 22-year-old, Richardson also jumped to Latrell’s defence amid a relentless onslaught of criticism and attention.

“I just can’t get over how Latrell is such a big story with everything he does,” Richardson fired.

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Mitchell has endured two subpar performances at fullback. Picture by Adam Head.

“It is quite amazing but anyway, you have to live with it.

“I know it is what it is but we don’t have to panic and worry about it.

“We have a pathway forward and Wayne is confident about the pathway, so am I.

“We are just moving forward.”

Richardson also said the backlash that followed Latrell’s performance last Friday night against Brisbane highlights exactly why a lot of it is unfair.

“There were other players in the game that played a lot worse than Latrell Mitchell did,” Richardson said.

But the negative feedback won’t stand in the club’s way of making Latrell a part of the club’s future.

The Rabbitohs have until April 30 to activate a clause for next year, and even amid the coronavirus crisis Richardson said that was still the plan.

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Mitchell has struggled with his initial move to fullback. AAP Image/Darren England.

Souths were initially hoping to get it all done before the start of the season.

But that obviously has now taken a back seat as the game fights to keep financially afloat.

Richardson was clear nothing has changed as far as the Rabbitohs are concerned.

“The last week and a half has been all about the players and staff and trying to get us all through the next week,” Richardson added.

“But the club has every intention of taking the contract up.”

Bennett has no intention of moving Latrell from fullback.

MItchell will stay at fullback. Picture by Mark Nolan/NRL Photos.

No matter how much everyone else tries to convince it is the wrong move, Bennett is adamant they will be eating their words by the end of the season.

After a disrupted pre-season he never expected Latrell would be anywhere near his best playing a new position this early in the season.

And one thing about Bennett is that when he makes his mind up on anything you have Buckleys of changing him.

Bennett was less than happy at how the Rabbitohs shot themselves in the foot in the loss to Brisbane but the fact they got as close as they did is at least a positive they could take away.

Originally published as South Sydney boss Shane Richardson declares the Rabbitohs will not give up on Latrell Mitchell