Source :- THE AGE NEWS
When it comes to the one player with genuine X-factor heading into the NRL finals, Penrith ace Nathan Cleary, himself a top-shelf game-breaker, said there was one rival who stood out – South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell.
Mitchell punched out half an hour against the Gold Coast Titans in his return from a nerve issue in his lower back and leg last Saturday, and will build on those minutes again against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
The 29-year-old centre looms as Souths’ trump card this September because of the way he can influence a game with one play. According to Cleary, the bigger the moment, the better Mitchell performs.
“When you watch him, it’s like everyone grows around him,” Cleary said. “He’s such a big presence on the field. For someone so big and powerful and strong, and so fast and skilful as well – he epitomises X-factor.
Believe it or not Souths came out to a smattering of boos for their warm-up here at Allianz, despite reclaiming this as their home ground tonight. Maybe they really do belong out at Olympic Park? Makes you think.
It’s a sold-out, capacity crowd of 40,000 anticipated and we’re gearing up for some serious celebrations of Jai Arrow and his family, who are in the house and being honoured with his 100th game in Rabbitohs colours. Wayne Bennett is ready and willing to put the great man’s socks on again if needed. Tipping there won’t be a dry eye in the house again.
In 72 years – since the start of the compulsory grand finals in 1954 – no team has won a title after finishing their regular season with three straight losses.
Just three weeks ago, Trent Robinson and his side were premiership favourites after downing Penrith in a 12-6 epic that put The Odyssey in the shade.
Now, the coach is resting roughly $5 million worth of talent and more than 1000 games worth of experience across nine first-grade regulars. And when asked on Friday, he said he was a willing proponent of the latest brainwave out of NRL HQ – a wildcard round – as a solution to mass restings in the final round.
The bookies have the Chooks nailed on for that third consecutive loss as $7 outsiders against their old enemies at Allianz Stadium.
Jai Arrow will be replaced by Cody Walker before kick-off tonight while the Roosters will have an overhauled line-up with 10 regulars out of the side. James Tedesco, Billy Smith, Rob Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Siua Wong and (in a late change) Lindsay Collins are all being rested for next week’s qualifying final. Meanwhile winger Daniel Tupou is back in the side after missing five games with a shoulder injury.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 23. Jai Arrow 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. David Fifita 12. Adam Elliott 13. Cameron Murray.
Bench: 6. Cody Walker 14. Matthew Dufty 15. Lachlan Hubner 16. Sean Keppie 17. Jamie Humphreys 18. Euan Aitken 19. Latrell Siegwalt 21. Talanoa Penitani
Sydney Roosters
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Fetalaiga Pauga 4. Tommy Talau 5. Rex Bassingthwaighte 6. Reece Foley 7. Toby Rodwell 8. Spencer Leniu 9. Benaiah Ioelu 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Egan Butcher 13. Connor Watson.
Bench: 14. Tom Rodwell 15. Taylor Losalu 16. Delasalle Vaa 17. Aston Warwick 18. Jake Elliott 19. Hayden Barton 20. Lui Lee
Jai Arrow has vowed to head straight to Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis after full-time on Friday night to personally thank him for a generous donation the billionaire made to him for his fight with motor neurone disease.
The 31-year-old Arrow will bring up his 100th game for South Sydney when he takes the field one last time against bitter rivals the Roosters at a packed Allianz Stadium.
There were plenty of tears when Arrow walked on to the field for his 99th club game for the Rabbitohs last Saturday against the Titans, before he was substituted at kick-off.
Coach Wayne Bennett will make a rare trip to the sideline to hand Arrow his interchange card before kick-off.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s clash between the Rabbitohs and Roosters.
Yes it’s one of rugby league’s great rivalries but tonight is really all about a couple of South Sydney players: Jai Arrow, who will take the field before kick-off to officially bring up his 100th game for the club (and 180th in the NRL); and Latrell Mitchell, who is finally back in the starting side for the first time since round 11.
Arrow is battling motor neurone disease and has officially retired from rugby league, but was given the OK by the NRL to be named in the starting side for the Rabbitohs last week and this week in order to take his official career games tally for the club to 100.
Mitchell returned last week for a 30-minute cameo off the bench after a lengthy stint on the sidelines with back and calf injuries, and can get a full game under his belt tonight ahead of next week’s finals series.
The Roosters, reeling from a season-ending injury to star half Sam Walker, have rested 10 players for tonight’s game in a bid to avoid any other injury shocks for the finals. They’ll be away from home in the opening week of the playoffs regardless, having secured a top-four finish already.
Kick-off is at 8pm.
