NRL NEWS: Leilua leaves Tigers for Cowboys, Latrell out of Origin, Gus says Blues ‘too Pantherised’

Wests Tigers have granted Luciano Leilua an early release from his playing contract, effective immediately and the second-rower will link with the Cowboys for the rest of the season.

Leilua signed a three-year deal last November to join North Queensland for 2023 and beyond.

The Cowboys were keen to lasso the forward early after Heilum Luki suffered a torn ACL last weekend in the win over St George Illawarra.

“We wish Luciano the very best with his future,” Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said. “He and his family have made a lot of friends here at the Wests Tigers and they will be missed.”

Trim Latrell out of Origin

Latrell Mitchell is back at South Sydney training looking fit and firing after his return from an American training camp was delayed by a bout of COVID.

The star fullback has shed at least five kilograms from his bulky frame after his trip to the US where he worked with renowned “reconditioning specialist” Bill Knowles.

Mitchell, who has not played for more than two months due to a hamstring tear, will not play for the Bunnies on Thursday night against the Dragons and the club does not want him to be selected for NSW in Origin II next Sunday.

It is likely his first match since Round 5 against the Dragons will be the July 2 clash with Parramatta at Accor Stadium. 

Mitchell was on light duties at training at Redfern on Monday but looked like he is now in great shape after his stint on the sidelines.

South Sydney centre Campbell Graham insisted Mitchell could easily make his comeback from injury in State of Origin if the Rabbitohs change their tune on the club’s marquee man.

Mitchell would be a walk-up start for NSW if available, particularly given the way the Blues missed his spark in their Game I loss in Sydney last week.

And Graham has no doubt Mitchell could still add that in Perth for NSW, even if he was to come in without an NRL game under his belt.

Latrell Mitchell during Monday’s South Sydney training session at Redfern Oval. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“I think he could. Obviously Origin is intense, but Latrell has been training hard,” Graham said.

“I know he hasn’t been playing footy for the last month and a bit but he delivers in big games. 

“I am sure Latrell would step up and take that on.”

Graham also indicated he believed Mitchell should be granted some say on whether he is available for NSW, in consultation with Souths medical staff.

“That is a decision Latrell will have to make,” Graham said.  “I wouldn’t think twice, he would get to represent his state which is unreal.

“Obviously we would want to have him back in a Rabbitohs jersey soon, so he would have to talk to coaches about that.”

Complicating the matter further for Blues coach Brad Fittler is the fact Souths trainer Travis Touma is on his staff, acting in the same role for the Blues.

If Mitchell makes his return against Parramatta, it will give him one match before potentially playing in Origin III for the Blues.

Meanwhile, if NSW do make changes in the centres, Graham could be the man to benefit if Mitchell is not made available.

The centre continues to have the backing of Souths teammates for the role, with Queensland fringe forward Jai Arrow insistent NSW selectors should forget MItchell for Perth and go with Graham.

“I feel like I am ready to play rep footy. If that call comes, it comes,” Graham said.

Gus tells Blues not to panic

Former NSW coach Phil Gould believes Brad Fittler needs to live up to his chilled persona and not jump at shadows in the lead-up to naming his team for Origin II.