- Wests Tigers 18 Rabbitohs 32
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Mitchell impresses on return as Rabbitohs get back on track in Tamworth
Latrell Mitchell made a successful return from a calf injury and Alex Johnston bagged a hat-trick of tries as South Sydney got their title charge back on track.
The Rabbitohs were pushed hard by an Api Koroisau-inspired Wests Tigers before prevailing 32-18 at Scully Park in Tamworth on Friday night.
Mitchell had been sidelined for more than two months due to a calf injury but had no shortage of classy touches.
He got through the 80 minutes and finished with 14 runs for more than 160 metres and seven tackle busts, not to mention a try-saving tackle on Junior Tupou and a field-goal attempt right on the break.
At one stage in the second half, Mitchell grabbed a Luke Brooks grubber, skipped around John Bateman to get back into the field of play, stepped past Starford To’a before running over the top of Brooks.
He had a smile on his face when doing it. So did the 11,000 fans in Tamworth, who lapped up every minute.
Latrell Mitchell is tackled by several Tigers in Tamworth.Credit: Getty
Mitchell, whose calf was massaged during the entire half-time break, will strip fitter when Souths jet across the country next week for the Perth clash against Cronulla.
Coach Jason Demetriou never needs reminding how lucky he is to have a genuine star in his line-up like Mitchell.
“He came up with some big plays and big moments, he’s one of the best players in the game for a reason, and we saw glimpses of that tonight,” Demetriou said. “The most exciting part is he’s going to keep getting better, which is good.”
The Bunnies will be grateful for the win but need to improve again, and quickly. This is a side stacked with talent that should be in the premiership conversation.
But Souths were only two points ahead of the Tigers with 20 minutes remaining, and it took a Keaon Koloamatangi charge to swing the momentum back in their favour.
Souths forced three straight dropouts before Johnston was able to cross in the left corner for his third try.
Skipper Cameron Murray ensured the win when he crashed over a few minutes out from full-time.
Davvy Moale will be in trouble for a shoulder charge on Shawn Blore, with the pair exchanging words before Blore was forced out of the game by a second head injury assessment.
If Blore was not impressed, you can only imagine what coach Tim Sheens was thinking when Moale was allowed stay on the field, which meant the Tigers could not access their 18th-man concussion substitute.
Cody Walker sent a scare through the camp, when he clutched at his left wrist early in the second half, but finished the game, while Campbell Graham grimaced several times as he continues to battle a sternum injury.
Jai Arrow was excellent, as were Murray and Tom Burgess off the bench. Demetriou also liked Jed Cartwright.
The Tigers had a crack for the most of it, as they always do, with captain Koroisau their standout.
At the end of the year when the club hands out the Kelly-Barnes Medal, will Koroisau or rookie Jahream Bula get the nod?
Bula, Koroisau and Luke Brooks all combined for an Isaiah Papali’i try early in the second half, while a Koroisau whack on Lachie Ilias, which forced the ball free, led to a Fonua Pole four-pointer.
Most expected the Friday night clash in the bush to be a blowout. At least the country folk were entertained. They were also treated to the sight of the NRL logo on a few jerseys, with tape used to black out the emblem as part of the players’ action against the NRL failing to stay on.
Johnston scored a 70-metre intercept try in the second minute, only for Koroisau to pounce on a Walker error to get one back for the joint venture.
Souths won. Mitchell survived. The players caught a charter plane straight back to Sydney. Next stop, Perth.
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