Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell and Roosters coach Trent Robinson didn’t speak for 12 months as the bitter fallout from last year’s Joey Manu incident drove an even greater wedge between the NRL arch rivals.
However, there was a lovely moment after full-time last weekend when Mitchell made his way to the sideline at Allianz Stadium and embraced Robinson.
They won premierships at the Roosters together in 2018 and 2019 and share a wonderful bond, but Mitchell revealed this week that the quiet moment with Robinson was the first time the pair had spoken in 12 months since the ugly fallout to the Manu clash.
Robinson was seething after last year’s highly charged round 24 game when Mitchell smashed Manu in the face and subsequently ended both their seasons due to injury and suspension.
Despite admitting at the time that “Latrell plays on the edge, and that’s what makes him a great player to watch; he’s a wonderful player”, Robinson also said he was “angry at him for the incident”.
Latrell Mitchell and Trent Robinson bury the hatchet following the clash between the Rabbitohs and Roosters at Allianz Stadium.Credit:Channel Nine
When The Sun-Herald asked Mitchell about the hug this week, he said: “It had been a long 12 months to that point. There was a lot of feeling with what happened in the past.
“I was definitely grateful to be able to embrace Robbo and [Roosters supremo] Nick Politis for sure. There’s still a lot of feeling with what I’ve been able to achieve there, and I guess the journey I started on gave me the opportunity to be me.
“I was definitely grateful for that.
Latrell Mitchell and Roosters chairman Nick Politis embrace last Friday night at Allianz Stadium.Credit:Channel Nine
“It was nice to see him and have a yarn and not talk footy. That was the first time we had spoken. It was nice.”
Robinson has always spoken in glowing terms about Mitchell, even after the centre-turned-fullback exited the Bondi club at the end of 2019 to link with bitter rivals Souths.
Mitchell was hounded for the entirety of the first NRL clash at the new Allianz Stadium last week by the Roosters and their fans during the 26-16 loss and called for booing in moderation, which split the league fraternity.
Meanwhile, Mitchell said he was looking forward to taking on Joseph Suaalii for the first time. The teen wonder is keen to one day realise his fullback dream, but that will not happen while the game’s premier No.1, James Tedesco, is at the Roosters.
Mitchell’s own fullback aspirations were also blocked by Tedesco, but he said there was no way you could replace the Roosters skipper, even with such an exciting young prospect as Suaalii.
“You can’t replace a guy like ‘Teddy’,” Mitchell said. “He consistently does what he does week in, week out. It’s a credit to him because the start of Teddy’s career wasn’t all rainbows, and he faced a bit of adversity [due to injury], but he’s overcome that cycle and it’s awesome to see Teddy at his best.”
Tedesco said at Monday’s NRL finals launch that Suaalii had time on his side when it came to making the move to fullback.
“There’s no rush for him at all, and Joey knows that”, Tedesco said. “Everyone sees the talent he is; he’s a very rare talent and footy player. Players with that talent have been rushed before into fullback, but he’s learning his trade and is one of the best wingers in the comp.
“When he goes to centre or fullback, he’ll be the best in that position as well. That’s how good a player he is. I love teaching Joey. He’ll be anything he wants to be. It’s exciting.”
Mitchell has made a point of speaking his mind this year, especially after his return from the US, and when asked if he had one last line ahead of Sunday’s grudge match, the 25-year-old replied: “I’ll say it on Sunday when we win.”
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