Mal Meninga makes Latrell Mitchell captaincy call as Cameron Murray news gets worse for Souths
Meninga believes Wayne Bennett should make Mitchell captain in Murray's absence.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga believes handing Latrell Mitchell the Rabbitohs captaincy in the absence of leader Cameron Murray could propel the fullback's game to the next level. Murray underwent surgery on Tuesday after injuring his wrist on international duty. And on Thursday, Wayne Bennett revealed the Australian and NSW Origin forward could miss the first ten rounds of the Bunnies' 2025 campaign, in what is a huge blow to their premiership prospects.
The super coach said he is considering Cody Walker and Mitchell as a stand-in captain but is in no rush to make a decision. "Cameron has had surgery on his scaphoid so we’re looking at five to six months out It means a lot for Cameron to play for Australia and unfortunately that’s the price you pay sometimes," Bennett told News Corp. "It’s a blow for us but I’m not going to stop guys playing for their country. He could be out for six months so I’m in no rush with the captaincy."
Bennett doesn't need to name a stand-in skipper until pre-season trials begin in February. But Australian coach and NRL Immortal Meninga believes the right choice to make when the time comes is Mitchell.
While there is a common viewpoint that the last thing Mitchell needs is more pressure given his turbulent last 12 months, Bennett and the Bunnies already see the fullback as somewhat of a spiritual leader at Redfern. And Meninga says handing him the honour of captaining Souths will only do good things for him.
"Latrell has certainly got the aura. To get the best out of Latrell, maybe it’s a smart move," Meninga said. "I think he’s got that ability to be a leader, there’s no doubt about that. I’ve had Cam Murray in this camp (with Australia’s Pacific Championships squad) and he’s just a damn good person and a damn good player. If Wayne is looking to get some consistency and the best out of Latrell, I certainly think he’s up to it."
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Broncos and Maroons legend Corey Parker is also in the camp that Mitchell would be an unorthodox captaincy choice but believes if it is something the fullback wants it is the right one to make. "My thoughts first and foremost would be sit down and have a conversation with Latrell," Parker told Fox Sports Australia.
"Is it something Latrell wants? If it’s something Latrell wants, he’s that sort of player and that sort of person that if he wants something, he goes after it, he gets it. So, if he wants the responsibility because being a captain comes with responsibility and accountability.
"If that’s what he wants, if he would love to be the captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, without doubt, I would have no issue with giving Latrell the captaincy. But that’s the conversation between Wayne and Latrell. You don’t just give it to Latrell because he’s the big name."
