Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton shared a laugh – and even joked about cuddling each other for the TV cameras – as they left the Indigenous All Stars team bus together on Monday.
The two NRL stars arrived at Sydney Airport just after 7am for a flight to New Zealand, where they hope they can still take part in this weekend’s clash against the Maori All Stars.
Mitchell, 25, and Wighton, 30, were arrested in the early hours of Sunday following a public skirmish on the streets of Canberra.
“We wanted to express remorse for putting ourselves in the position to embarrass our clubs and the NRL over the weekend,” the pair said in a joint statement released by their management company, No Limit Boxing.
“We were there to celebrate Jack’s 30th with family and friends. While everyone enjoyed a great night, we understand that our wrestle, as harmless as we believed it to be, was a poor decision and may have looked bad.
“We are sorry for this, and know that we need to be better when in public.
“We remain great friends, and are looking forward to proudly representing our community at All Stars this weekend.”
Mitchell and Wighton said in an earlier release to The Daily Telegraph: “It was originally a bit of fun that got out of hand.“
Neither player had markings on their face on Monday, and Mitchell showed no signs of shoulder pain after being pinned to the ground by four police officers.
Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton leave the Indigenous All Stars team bus together.Credit:Nick Moir/SMH
The pair left jail to have breakfast together, made their way to Sydney separately at lunchtime on Sunday, and were given a warm reception when they entered a group meeting at the Indigenous team’s Sydney hotel just after 9pm on Sunday.
“They’re both good, they walked in last night together, and the love they felt in the room was exactly what they needed to fill their cup up again,” Indigenous All Stars coach Ronnie Griffiths told the Herald.
“One of our elders, Edward Monaei, who is from the Torres Strait, when the two boys came in and all the staff were there, he stood up in front of everyone and said, ‘Our circle is now complete’.
“[Latrell’s] all good, he saw the Souths doctor on Sunday. All the players needed to have a medical before they came into camp.
Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton on Monday.Credit:Nick Moir/SMH
“Both boys are on this trip to build up the other boys culturally and spiritually, but the end goal is they are also over there to play.
“I know there would be no prouder moment for Latrell and his brother Shaquai to play over there together.
“Latrell is a world-class player. Everyone is looking forward to going over to New Zealand to develop the game, and he’s certainly a drawcard.”
Mitchell and Wighton did not speak to the media, but there appeared to be no lingering issues between them as they stood next to each other at check-in and shared a laugh.
Broadcaster Ray Hadley was the first to ask how the NRL could possibly allow Mitchell and Wighton could play.
“I think they should be stood down from Saturday’s game at the very least,” Hadley said on his 2GB morning program.
“I think someone needs to move in and say, ‘boys, jump on the next plane back from Auckland, you’re not playing in the All Stars, you’ll have a week to cool your heels’.”
The NRL, however, said there would be no issues with the duo playing in Rotorua.
Griffiths is confident the controversy will not derail All Stars week. A suspension for Mitchell and Wighton would be a huge blow for the All Stars game, which suffered several withdrawals over the weekend. Mitchell missed last year’s game due to suspension.
Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell on Saturday night.Credit:Instagram
Canterbury supremo Phil Gould spoke for most clubs with World Cup stars when he explained why Josh Addo-Carr was not taking part this weekend.
“He has only been training for three weeks – he is not ready to play,” he said. “As per the RLPA policy they have enforced, players have to have a certain amount of time off between seasons. Clubs have no say in the matter.
“It was always going to be an issue with the World Cup ending late last year, and then trying to fit in an All Stars game early in February.”
Griffiths said of the number of scratchings: “It’s been tough on the back of a World Cup, particularly for someone like the ‘Foxx’ [Addo-Carr]. They’re at it all year, they need a break, I totally understand that. It is disappointing … but I look at it as an opportunity, and the players who come in, we’ll make sure we send them back stronger men [culturally].”
Ryan James will join the Indigenous team later on Monday. He had to delay flying out with main group so he could complete a university exam.
Mitchell and Wighton had been out celebrating the latter’s birthday on Saturday and kicked on to a nightclub.
ACT Police said in a statement: “About 3.45am today (Sunday, 5 February 2023), ACT Policing responded to reports of a disturbance near a nightclub on Bunda Street in the city.
“Two men – a 30-year-old from Bywong, NSW and a 25-year-old man from Chifley, NSW – were arrested at the scene.
“The 30-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place and fail to comply with an exclusion direction, while the 25-year-old has been charged with fight in a public place, affray, and resist territory public official.”
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