Latrell Mitchell is used to being booed – now every single one of his Kangaroos teammates better get used to similar heckling from the English locals at the World Cup.
So says new Roos skipper James Tedesco who knows there is good reason the Australians will be given a frosty reception.
“They know we’re a threat, they will all be supporting England and know the Australian team is the one to beat,” Tedesco told the Herald.
“They’ll do everything to go against us. We’ll expect that. We don’t take it personally. That’s just how it is.”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga added: “The Brits will boo all of us because we’re Aussies. They appreciate good footy, and at the end of it all they will appreciate Latrell and the team and how good they are.
“But we know we’ll cop it. We’ll be public enemy No.1 in every game we play.”
Latrell Mitchell will not be the only Kangaroos player to be booed by the English locals at the World Cup.Credit:Getty Images
The issue of whether there was such a thing of fans booing too much became a hot topic after Mitchell objected to the over-the-top reaction he received from Roosters fans in round 25. They were at it again in week one of the finals, and even launched into a South Sydney ballgirl.
If there is any consolation for Mitchell and the Kangaroos, the English fans have been known to turn on their own national sides in the past.
For all the excitement surrounding the chances of Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand and even England, Australia remain deserved favourites for the Cup, especially with a line-up that features Tedesco, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray and Mitchell.
Tedesco could not wait to unite with Mitchell after they had won two premierships together at the Roosters, and their backline combination would take little time to reignite.
Mitchell was on the end of plenty of barbs from Roosters players and fans last month, but Tedesco said he had nothing but respect for the Souths pin-up.
The Rabbitohs fullback was even one of the first to reach out to Tedesco after he failed to finish the finals because of concussion.
“He messaged me after that game and made sure I was alright after the head knock,” Tedesco said.
“It’s hard when people judge you on 80 minutes of footy. They don’t see the person off the field or how they are the other 23 hours in the day.
“It’s been a while since I’ve played with him. It will be good to have him outside me again, and to have that X-factor.
New Roos skipper James Tedesco and his fiancee Maria Glinellis at the Dally M AwardsCredit:Jason McCawley/Getty Images
“You know if you give him some early ball and some space that he’ll create something. If you hover around him he has that offload as well. I know his traits from playing with him. It will be good to get that feel and connection back.”
Meninga had no issues with Mitchell playing in the Koori Knockout over the weekend. His side, the Walgett Aboriginal Connection, which also featured Ben Barba, lost the final to the Newcastle All Blacks.
Mitchell was the fan favourite and posed for countless photos with the young locals at the tournament on the NSW south coast.
But it will be anything but love in the north of England in the coming weeks.
Meninga has always loved Mitchell and said of having him back in the green and gold: “I enjoy Latrell’s company. He has an aura about him. He comes into a room and he’s this big human being with a great personality and someone who is very confident. It’s good to have him in this footy team.
“We’re away for several weeks and having someone like him who can entertain is a good thing.”
