South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett plans on easing Latrell Mitchell into the fullback role after taking him off during the second half of their win over Cronulla.
South Sydney will continue to ease Latrell Mitchell into the fullback role after he played just 56 minutes in South Sydney’s win over Cronulla.
In his first proper NRL game at fullback in more than three years on Saturday night, Mitchell was taken from the field in the second half a pre-devised plan by coach Wayne Bennett.
The 22-year-old had just four runs for 50 metres in the 22-18 win, but was otherwise safe at the back with his only error when he kicked early in a set and put the ball dead.
“It was the plan (to sub him),” Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said.
“I had Alex there; I knew I had to get Alex some game time. I’m not going to put Latrell under the pressure that he’s got to play 80 minutes right now.
“I’m not interested in making him play 80 minutes.
“It’s a whole different position for him, I want him to get used to that and want him to play without mistakes, which he did with the exception of one mistake.
“I was pretty happy with his performance.”
Mitchell has always been known to be relatively quiet, making his touches far more about quality than quantity.
Even in 25 games at the Sydney Roosters last year Mitchell averaged 15 touches per game and less than most other centres, but was still the competition’s second-leading try-scorer with 19.
While the likes of James Tedesco have warned Mitchell’s biggest challenge in the No.1 jersey is the increased work rate, Bennett had no doubt he is fit enough to meet it.
“It’s a different position; they do more running than anyone else. Fitness is an issue but he’s fit enough,” Bennett said.
“I’m prepared to accept it’s going to take a while to get him to where we want him to go. But we’ll get him there.”
Simoc
Guest
I didn't see it but I'm sure Mitchell knows whats expected. He will deliver and help the Bunnies to another Premiership, despite the experts.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yep, fully agree, next week it will all depend on how the Bunnies pan out in the second half? As that has been their weakness. Hopefully they will have a real go for 80min as that is their only chance, like they did last year against the Broncs.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
Not sure you guys have enough in the middle to sustain the effort over 80 minutes. Marked loss of go-forward when Tatola and Burgess came off. Losing Roberts for 10 minutes didn't help either. I'm not really sure the Broncos let the Cowboys back in the game as such, but they surely didn't need to let the game get that close. Broncos looked good in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but still quite reliant on a solo effort from the beast Fifita to score the match winning try. Much better structure and lateral movement than last year in attack, but still weak defensively which is to be expected for a young side. Cook could have a field day.
steveng
Roar Rookie
That was a lucky win and as usual, the Bunnies just seem to ease off when they are in the lead? They wont beat the Broncs next week on yesterdays effort, that's for sure, even though the Broncs did the same against the Cows! I'll give them an excuse that it was their 1st game but, they will have to put a 100% better effort in next week to beat the Broncs! It didn't look great yesterday as they should have beaten the Sharks by at least 24+. As far as Latrell is concerned, that was his first game at FB and he is being eased into that position as Bennett said, he will have a big game next week so lets see how he goes?
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I watched the game and sure it's only round one but Latrell was barely sighted. Offered nothing in attack and may as well have been sitting in the stands. Needs a big improvement to justify the position. Again I stand my belief he's not a fullback, at least not at NRL level. He may have played there on juniors but NRL is a lot more demanding
Fraser
Roar Rookie
I'm a massive Latrell fan, but that definitely wasn't one of his better games. Defensively he seemed to do well, but offensively he was nowhere to be seen. Rabbitohs made a few half breaks where I'd expect to see a quality fullback sniffing around and running holes, but he was out the back waiting for the next play. Hopefully he gets a chance to improve in that position.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Easing ? Yep, blokes not a fullback ! Doesn’t think like a fullback nor play like one, stick him back in the centres or on the wing he needs game time I agree with others who posted “one off effort”