Mal Meninga appreciates how proud Latrell Mitchell is about his Indigenous heritage, and was never going to stop him from playing in the Koori Knockout – even though the Kangaroos will start their World Cup title defence in a fortnight.
Meninga will name his 24-man Cup squad on Monday with Mitchell one of the first players picked for the tournament.
The South Sydney superstar set up a try and scored a long-range intercept try on day two of the Koori Knockout on Sunday, with the team he is representing, Walgett Aboriginal Connection – which also features Ben Barba and George Rose – in contention for Monday’s final.
“I understand how important his Aboriginality is to him, it was his decision, he knew the risks that were associated with him playing,” Kangaroos coach Meninga said.
“But he’s a man and makes his own choices.
“I was more than comfortable with him wanting to play because it was important to him. He didn’t need to ask me. I knew he was playing.”
Superstar Latrell MitchellCredit:Getty
Mitchell will be one of the starting centres in a Kangaroos side that is not expected to feature too many surprises. South Sydney’s Damien Cook, Parramatta back-rower Shaun Lane and Dally M winner Nicho Hynes look set to be snubbed.
Dally M hooker of the year Api Koroisau is also at risk of missing out to preferred hookers Ben Hunt and Harry Grant.
The last man to wear the Kangaroos’ No.9 at the 2017 World Cup, Cameron Smith, told the Herald on Sunday he would hand the starting role to Hunt.
“I think Ben Hunt has done enough this year to get the starting No.9 jersey, and the combination him and Harry Grant shared in Origin proved quite successful given the way the Maroons played,” Smith said.
“They’re different players but they complement each other.
“Because Melbourne started extremely well, a lot of people were talking about Harry being the next Australian hooker, and with Damien Cook the incumbent, they were the two names.
“But it shows you the resilience of Ben Hunt. He’s been through a lot in his career, he’s been under pressure at different times, but given his efforts, particularly through State of Origin, it will give him a really good chance to be in the No.9.
“If another specialist No.9 goes over, I think Api has done more than enough to be selected.”
Smith added the one player he was keen to watch was Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
“If Tino doesn’t play this year, a disappointing season for the Gold Coast Titans would have been a lot worse,” Smith said.
“He’s passionate about the teams he plays for, and I’m looking forward to seeing him go up against the best the world can offer.”
Mitchell featured in two round-robin games at the three-day Knockout in Nowra, including a win over Cody Walker’s Bundjalung Baygal Warriors.
Likely Kangaroos squad: Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Burton, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Pat Carrigan, Daly Cherry-Evans, Nathan Cleary, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Campbell Graham, Harry Grant, Valentine Holmes, Ben Hunt, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Tuilagi, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Wighton, Isaah Yeo
