Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has revealed Bunnies superstar Latrell Mitchell has hit the ground running following his first full field session for 2023 — and his brother isn’t far behind.
The South Sydney coach is confident Mitchell will be more than prepared to take on the Maori All Stars in the annual game set to be held in Rotorua, New Zealand next month.
However, the 25-year-old isn’t the only Mitchell in good shape after Latrell’s brother Shaquai said he’ll enter the 2023 season the lightest he’s ever been as a player.
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The Mitchell brothers are set to line up alongside a wealth of talent in the Indigenous All Stars side which include the likes of Cody Walker, Nicho Hynes, Tyrone Peachey, Josh Addo-Carr, Tyrell Sloan, Tyrell Fuimaono, Josh Kerr and Selwyn Cobbo.
“Latrell’s maturity over the last 12 months has been there to see, and it’s been evident with how he’s returned – he’s come back in the best shape he’s been in,” Demetriou told the SMH.
“He’ll be close to match fitness by the time they go away (for the All Stars).
“It’s an important week, he’s a leader in the Indigenous community, he’s very well respected and looked up to, and it will be great to see him running around.
“Like all teams at this time of year, we have work to do with our execution and connection, but Latrell’s energy has been outstanding.”
At one point, Shaquai hit 179kg and arrived at the Rabbitohs weighing in at 125kg.
Now heading into the 2023 season he’s shed even more weight and is hoping to add a few more first grade appearances.
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“I arrived here for pre-season training at the start of last season about 125kg, dropped to 118kg, then added some muscle and played just over 120kg,” Shaquai said.
“Now I’m down to about 116kg, which is the lightest I’ve been in a long time.
“The goal is to play more (NRL). I don’t like taking free hands out, I work hard for my (success), and that’s how I want to keep it.
“There’s so much talent in this squad, we’re all competing for spots, that’s the name of the game, and all I can do is keep pushing.”
Improving day by day, Demetriou has praised the 26-year-old’s progress in the training paddock.
“What Shaq achieved last year is just the start, and he’s backed it up again this pre-season by coming back in the better shape again – he goes into this All Stars game in a better headspace and a lot more confidence than he did last year,” Demetriou said.
