Two-time Sydney Roosters premiership player and NSW State of Origin representative Latrell Mitchell is weighing up a move to play rugby union.
Mitchell is currently looking for a new home after knocking back an extension from the Roosters. Although contracted at Sydney for another season, it’s understood the club wants him to find a new home immediately.
He had been linked to a move to the Wests Tigers however it’s now understood that the Tigers have withdrawn their offer, having grown frustrated with negotiations.
The Gold Coast Titans currently appear Mitchell’s most likely destination with the potential departure of Jai Arrow to South Sydney perhaps making room for them to offer him a lucrative deal.
However this most recent news suggests Mitchell could go in a different direction and instead swap codes to play rugby union, with an eye on becoming a regular for the Wallabies.
The New South Wales representative – who was dropped from the Origin side after one match this year – would presumably be most likely to land at the Waratahs.
The deal, if done, could be a major coup for Rugby Australia, who are badly in need of a good news story after a frustrating and controversial year.
The Wallabies’ overall performance at the Rugby World Cup was poor; ultimately knocked out in the quarter-finals by England, leading to the immediate departure of coach Michael Cheika.
Rugby Australia also faces ongoing controversy over the departure of Israel Folau following his continued posting of homophobic material on social media earlier this year.
Folau recently opened a new $14 million lawsuit against the organisation.
They are also in the midst of negotiations over their next broadcast deal after Fox Sports recently withdrew a five-year offer, with a move to Optus known to be a possibility.
Landing a highly-rated talent in Mitchell won’t make these problems go away, but could provide a beacon of hope for fans as they endure a rocky transition into a new era.
Meatpy Sausageraul
Roar Rookie
He’s a talent and as such has a market value. His ‘advisors’ stand to make a heap more money if they push that value up. Unpalatable, yes - but a simple fact of life.
Mango Jack
Roar Guru
I'm not saying they were bad players, but neither delivered on the hype surrounding them. Remember John O'Neil's quip about venue turnstiles - "when the Dell sells, watch these babies swing". Well they did at first, but fell away as it became obvious that he would take some time to adapt to the new game that looks very similar on the surface to league, but is subtly different in many ways.
Wal
Roar Guru
Or trying to improve, I guess not a bad plan for supporting the Wallabies No need to get better Afghanistan are worse at rugby too. :silly:
scubasteve
Guest
Rogers and Sailor were actually pretty good wallabies. Tiquiri was v. good.
Glen Gee
Roar Rookie
Never played rugby, a mercurial league talent but a troublemaker, go to France or the UK, Oz rugby doesn’t want or need you. I like and played both codes but don’t know why leaguers think they can slot right into a top flight rugby team; it’s like a guy who can play checkers thinking he can be a grand master chess player because the boards are the same 8x8 dimensions. ????
soapit
Roar Guru
If you're going to claim inherent racism on the roar do it on someone else's post. If you're talking about me specifically then provide some evidence or go jam your opinion
soapit
Roar Guru
I think league can be me physically demanding with the 10m rule bit as I said hi can't clock of on rugby knowing that they'll do at least 2 hit ups before they spread and there went be a kick in behind you till the last like you can in league.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
For us that wouldn't be reasonable because committing to fixed term contracts is different to you and I. The Roosters are expecting him to take what they throw out, and commit to it over a year before the contract is planned to start. I can understand why the roosters want to lock it away early. But it's hardly reasonable for them to say if you don't agree to this contract 14 months before this one ends we are revoking it. It's not like they have a replacement they have to move on. They are revoking the offer, and then starting the process of looking elsewhere to spend that money, not revoking the offer because they have to commit that money.
Really
Guest
Considering most of the wallabies aren’t Aussie, he’s a perfect fit!
Don
Roar Rookie
Ease up. He had a year to run on a contract. The Roosters offered him $800k and he apparently said he felt he was worth more and wants to see if he can get better elsewhere and, if more money is available elsewhere he’d also like to be released from his final year of the current contract. They had been trying to sort out his contract earlier in the year but Mitchell changed managers and had to wait until his contract with him ended. Not sure how “reasonable” I’d be if someone in my employ told us they wanted to interview for jobs with our direct competitors, want us to release them if things seem better elsewhere plus also want us to keep their current job open for them in case no one else actually wants them. Meanwhile his side has to start making plans for next year and can’t do that without knowing whether they will or won’t have Latrell Mitchell. So they made a decision that meant they could move forward. I don’t see either side as being unreasonable. But the Roosters have managed it as a business should. Mitchell’s management has provided poor advice and come out of it with their client being viewed unfavourably by most watchers.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
if you ignore the work off the ball required then sure. Even wingers would have to cover more ground as they have to anticipated kicks at any time, not just the 5th tackle. On attack in league players only have to run, in rugby forwards will be constantly working. Either in a ruck, or following to secure the next ruck.
soapit
Roar Guru
generally id agree but not in all positions in all situation.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
Only Wallabies make good money. Can he play 5/8?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Etihad are actually considered to be a gay friendly airline as an employer. And regardless, pointing out somewhere that may be worse is hardly the type of thinking that results in equality.
Rob
Guest
Work rate issues in Rugby? “Can’t clock of as a rugby centre “ LOL. The work rate in union across the park is pathetic compared to League.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
when seeing what he is worth is what’s burning the bridge, I think the employer is the one being unreasonable.
Don
Roar Rookie
But you would not burn bridges with your current employer, who you have a year to run on an existing contract with, in order to test the market elsewhere.
Don Lampard
Guest
He could captain the Wallabies one day.
Don
Roar Rookie
Fair to lampoon him for the ham fisted way his management has marketed him though.
johnb
Guest
There are few with more ability than him. Would he make the transition - no good reason he wouldn't with the right coaching and support. However, the likelihood must be that first, this is just the now standard negotiating tactic and he has no actual interest in changing codes, and second, rugby wouldn't or couldn't offer him the money he demands if he was interested in switching.