Latrell Mitchell wins over NRL world with post-match act after All-Stars game
The South Sydney Rabbitohs star captained the Indigenous team to victory over the Maori All-Stars.
Latrell Mitchell delivered a classy and humble speech after leading the Indigenous All-Stars to victory over the Maori All-Stars on Friday night. The Indigenous team ran out 22-14 winners at Queensland Country Bank with a gutsy defensive display that we don't normally see in the exhibition match.
The game wasn't a free-scoring entertainer like we're used to, with Mitchell saying his side's defensive performance was the best he's ever seen. Two tries in 10 minutes for Josh Addo-Carr got his side an early lead, but it was five-eighth Braydon Trindall who won the Preston Campbell Medal for best afield.
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Mitchell accepted the trophy after captaining the Indigenous team for the first time, and delivered a wonderful victory speech that had fans in awe. “I just want to thank everyone who showed up today, all the mob," he said. "We love yas, this game doesn’t happen without you fellas.
“I want to thank Peter V’landys and [Andrew] Abdo, thank you brother thanks for getting this game going. Thanks to my brothers there, we represented the week well, our families.
"Thanks to our Maori brothers. Kia Ora my bros. Really appreciate you showing up, respect the game over your way and hopefully next year we can keep rolling this out.
“We love the game as much as you fellas, this game doesn’t happen if the pride and passion isn’t there, so culture is everything. Culture first, family, then rugby league. Thank you very much.”
Fans were blown away by how well Mitchell spoke and the class he showed in addressing his teammates, opponents and officials. "I love how smoothly the pronunciation of Māori just flows out when you say it Latrell," one person commented on social media.
Another added: "I'm not the biggest fan of this guy but this speech was respectful. Thanks for your shout out to our Maori brothers." And a third wrote: "Excellent speech Mitchell, well done indigenous team, you deserve the win."
Latrell Mitchell and Brandon Smith in injury scares
The game didn't come without drama, with Mitchell and Brandon Smith both failing to finish after receiving worrying knocks. The Rabbitohs and Roosters will both be sweating on the fitness of their star players, who will be vying to be fit for the season-opening round in Las Vegas on March 3.
"With our arsenal in attack, we've got the best attacking team in the world, but we showed that we can defend as well," Mitchell said afterwards. "That was the best defensive performance I've ever seen. The boys played footy and had fun, that was my clearest message, play simple and back your abilities, be proud of who you are and Bob's your uncle."
Trindall put in two delicate kicks that were grounded for tries by Addo-Carr and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, while Cronulla teammate Nicho Hynes threw a superb cut-out pass to winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira to seal the win with a late try. Trindall was initially set to play as a makeshift hooker before an injury to Cody Walker saw him move into the halves.
"When Cody pulled out we had no hesitation playing him in the halves," Indigenous coach Ronald Griffiths said. "I said to him 'when the time's right to step out of the shadows, you will', and he did it. He really controlled the pace of the game but there was a special effort defensively ... those are the sorts of plays that win games, and that's why he's got that medal around his neck."
with AAP
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