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5 months ago
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As Michael Maguire searches for a centre to save NSW, Latrell Mitchell sent a message to the Blues coach that he is deserving of a State of Origin recall.
The South Sydney fullback was in everything as the Rabbitohs hammered the Gold Coast 46-12 at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.
The victory marked the first time the Bunnies had clinched back-to-back wins this season and moves Souths off the bottom of the NRL ladder and above the rudderless Wests Tigers.
Mitchell was a huge part of the win, scoring a try, registering three try assists and kicking six goals from seven attempts.
The 26-year-old also took on extra kicking responsibility with the ball in hand and his spiralling bombs caused endless problems for the Titans' back three.
Mitchell hasn't played Origin since 2021 because of injury and was left out of Maguire's game one squad after an indifferent start to the 2024 campaign.
But as Maguire searches for a replacement for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to save the series for NSW in Melbourne on June 26, Mitchell made a compelling case for the Blues coach to pick up the phone.
Latrell Mitchell turned in a huge game for the South Sydney Rabbitohs as they torched the Gold Coast Titans
Mitchell was overlooked for State of Origin I, but with Joseph Sua'ali'i suspended, there is an opportunity to force his way back in
New South Wales coach Michael Maguire has a lot of decisions to make after being thrashed in Origin I following the early send off of Joseph Sua'ali'i
The fullback made an instant impact by backing up a trademark Damien Cook break out of dummy-half to give the Rabbitohs the lead after just eight minutes.
Cody Walker sent Jacob Gagai in on the right flank to extend Souths' advantage, before Alofiana Khan-Pereira evaded Mitchell to respond for the Gold Coast.
Mitchell made amends with two try-saving tackles in quick succession, scything down Khan-Pereira and hooker Chris Randall as the Titans tried to draw level.
But it was at the other end where Mitchell came into his own, delaying a pass for Richie Kennar to power over.
And to give Souths a 22-6 halftime lead, Khan-Pereira dropped a Mitchell bomb that was scooped up by Walker.
Mitchell repeated the trick play in the 50th minute, but a bunker replay showed Gagai had knocked the ball on while competing in the air, denying Michael Chee Kam a try.
It mattered for little when Souths ran straight up the Gold Coast middle soon after and prop Tom Burgess strolled over untouched.
Fellow prop Davy Moale walked in a try of his own, before David Fifita ran over the top of Walker to get Gold Coast's only try of the second half.
Bunnies five-eighth Jack Wighton, who was placed on report for a tipping tackle, crossed late before he set up Walker with an offload to finish the rout.
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