Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell will forego surgery altogether – giving him the best chance to return with Souths before a late finals run.
Mitchell had a meeting with a specialist on Tuesday morning following his injury on Thursdaynight to his foot.
The No.1 starred for the Bunnies, scoring a try – along with three line break assists and two try assists.
Latrell Mitchell runs the ball for the Blues in game two. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Mitchell is now in a moon boot, but has been given hope to return before September, as surgery is not required.
‘Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has been reviewed by a surgeon this morning and a decision has been made to manage his left midfoot injury conservatively, meaning he will not require surgery,’ the Rabbitohs said in a statement.
Young gun Jye Gray will fill Mitchell’s shoes in his absence – with the pocket rocket on board for at least the next month.
South Sydney have won their last five matches and are now tied 11th on the ladder, with the Broncos and Raiders on 18 points.
The Cowboys round out the top eight on 20 points, meaning if the Rabbitohs are to pack on some late wins – they are more than a chance to feature in the finals despite a shocking start to 2024.
Luai no surfer
Jarome Luai has been roped out of the water at Sydney’s URBN surf facility, saved by the lifeguard on duty with a rescue tube.
The Blues attended a bonding session at the new artificial surf park, that generates a mode of different waves through a pool system.
While most of the squad were doing their best to pop up on some waves, the NSW No.6 was doing it tough out in the water – urging the lifeguard to help bring him to shore.
The vocal Panthers five-eighth was not so hard on a surfboard, as he was dragged to the side of the pool for safety.
“My life flashed before my eyes, can’t believe I’m alive. there’s no beaches at Penrith,” Luai told Fox Sports.
“I almost died out there, so grateful to be alive.
“There’s no beaches at Penrith, so we don’t get much practice out there. I thought I would try my luck, but it didn’t go well.
“I attacked it, a bit of a dare from the boys. It was a good laugh. Thanks to the lifeguard out there, he had to drive me back in.”
Luai spent the next 15 minutes watching on from land, as NSW teammates attempted to learn to surf.
Noted surfer Connor Watson was the best of the Blues on the board, with Zac Lomax, Matt Burton and Cameron Murray also showing some skills.
Luai returned to the water later with a bodyboard, before receiving a second standing ovation from Blues players.
The Blues are set to travel out to the Blue Mountains on Tuesday afternoon, beginning a week of training prior to the decider at Suncorp.
© AAP