Wayne Bennett won’t guarantee James Roberts’ return next week against Melbourne as he continues to put his centre’s well being first.
Roberts sat out Friday night’s loss to the Sydney Roosters, after only returning to training last weekend after checking out of a rehabilitation clinic.
Souths players have noted that the NSW State of Origin star has been all smiles at practice and a welcome returnee at Redfern.
But Bennett will wait and see before deciding if he is right to come back against the Storm at AAMI Park on Friday night.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
“I don’t know about that,” Bennett said.
“I just need to see a bit more of him in training.
“I’m not going to rush him back, I don’t want him to come back and fail and not play well.
“That won’t do anything for his confidence.”
Roberts’ absence saw Latrell Mitchell spend 80 minutes at fullback on Friday night for the first time this year, with no outside back on the bench.
The former Rooster laid on one try for Cameron Murray against his old club, and pulled off a try-saver in defence on Luke Keary.
But while it was his best showing in the Rabbitohs’ number one jersey this year, he was still relatively quiet.
While opposite number James Tedesco ran for 267 metres, Mitchell ran just 76 and also made a simple error fielding a kick.
Bennett refused to be drawn on his performance and his development as a fullback after the match.
“You guys (the media) will work that out. You all have opinions on him,” Bennett said.
“I have a different opinion on him.”
Pressed further on his performance, Bennett said: “I had another 16 players out there, do you want to talk about them?
“Latrell is one of 17. You all saw his performance and if you can’t write about that, I’m not going to add to it.”
Big Daddy
Guest
The trouble with Mitchell and South's is to concentrate on the game. Mitchell is more worried about appealing his fine than playing football.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
One of the Morris twins moved well in FB for a while?
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
Of cause Bennett won't speak of Mitchell, he knows he's bought a lemon that's why good on you Wayne you done it again lol.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Yeah, Justin Hodges was mainly a centre who did just fine at fullback when required, too.
Paul
Roar Guru
I saw Changa towards the end of his career when he'd slowed down a lot, take a kick and jog/run the ball back. They were playing Souths and one of the Souths forwards (might have been John O'Neill), thought he'd lined up Langlands to bury him, only to be pointlessly beaten by one of the best ( and slowest) sidesteps I've ever seen. Made the Souths guy look like a complete goose. It was at the SCG and it takes a lot for a crowd to laugh, but even the Souths fan were having a chortle.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
He went from wing to fullback. I can't remember any player that has gone from centre to fullback
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
He surely did – working with Reg Gasnier in the centres or from full back they were simply magical. I was fortunate to see his entire career, although I was only just a teenager when he first arrived from the South Coast. He was the outstanding full back, a champion, in the company of many impressive performers – Ken Thornett, Les Johns, Alan Maddalena, Allan McKean and early Russell Fairfax. Changa was a fierce competitor, a swift and clever runner and his sidestep was the best you will ever see.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Tim Brasher - but that was a while ago Slater started in the centres, so did Tommy T Inglis
Paul
Roar Guru
Graham Langlands made the transition, for those of more advanced years. :happy:
Blackberry Smoke
Guest
Distracting Mitchell , I think will b a worthy tactic throughout the season. It remains to be seen if uncy Wayne can keep him focused. Running 70 odd metres , and letting in the game sealing try after the headlines of the last couple of weeks , doesn’t exactly show an attitude of someone that has a point to prove. More one of arrogance.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Well Anthony Minichiellio was one.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Did GI go from centre to FB?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Re; Latrell's move from centre to FB. Can anybody come up with players who have made a successful transition into that position which is one of the most specialised in the game? Particularly as the game becomes quicker, positional play is all the more important. Excelling in attack whilst "going missing" in defence are not a successful combination. Jake Friend's try from a short kick could be a tactic worth attempting by South's opponents in weeks to come.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hopefully we beat them to Bateman too...
kk
Roar Pro
My three sons are Souths fanatics. They are hurting. In a four way turf talk this morning I suggested that my team Canterbury would win their next premiership before Souths. The lines went dead.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Even though Sam wasn’t at his peak he was still the guy to make the big run or big (high) tackle when they needed it He was still putting up good numbers, just his errors and penalties had crept up too George never lives up to his 2014 potential when it looked like he’d be scary good. But I’d still rather him coming off the bench than say Nicholls But definitely two big men short ATM...Arrow next year will be a big boost. Maybe they should try and get James too I think they’ll miss the eight this year
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think Souths are in for a long year. Outside of Murray and Cook, the rest of the team look like fringe first grade players.
kk
Roar Pro
Brilliant.
Nat
Roar Guru
Jarrod Crocker?