Tensions were high in the Roosters’ clash with the Rabbitohs after star fullback Latrell Mitchell put an ugly hit on former teammate Joey Manu.
The Rabbitohs’ premiership hopes have taken a massive blow with fullback Latrell Mitchell on report for a high shot on Joey Manu in what turned into another heated and spiteful contest between league’s oldest and fiercest rivals.
There were fears Manu had suffered a depressed fracture of the cheekbone in the incident that overshadowed the Rabbitohs’ thumping 54-12 win over the Roosters.
The race to the 2021 NRL Telstra Finals Series is on and every game matters. Watch Live & Ad-Break Free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free >
In the 57th minute, Mitchell was sin-binned and put on report for a dangerous tackle that sent his former clubmate to hospital.
Given the heavy contact of the hit on Manu and his history at the judiciary this year, where he was earlier suspended for four weeks on a grade two dangerous contact charge, Mitchell is facing an extended stint on the sidelines. If Souths are to win the comp they may have to do it without him.
The win was also soured by an injury scare to star Souths half Adam Reynolds.
Reynolds slipped and dug into the Suncorp Stadium turf in the first half and appeared to hyper-extend his knee. He played on but made his way up the tunnel in the 34th minute before returning to the field to help his side secure victory.
The Roosters were always up against it, missing more than $6.3 million worth of their top 30 salary cap with 14 players unavailable due to retirement or injury.
Jaydn Su’A, Mark Nicholls, Thomas Burgess, Tevita Tatola, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray were on fire up front in the first half and mauled the Roosters, while Mitchell at the back was scintillating as Souths fired a warning shot to the entire competition that they are more than just a razzle dazzle outfit
The Rabbitohs scored from their first left-side raid with Alex Johnston, who notched a hat-trick, crossing for his 25th try of the season.
Murray’s brilliant ball skills put Mark Nicholls under the sticks and the warrior prop had his second when Damien Cook fired out a superb pass from dummy-half.
The Roosters trailed 24-6 at halftime and did not turn it up, but Souths put the foot down to run away with it. When Mitchell returned from the bin, tempers flared to fever pitch with a melee erupting with minutes to go. Sitili Tupouniua and Dane Gagai were both sin-binned.
Rabbitohs bench forward Liam Knight was put on report for a hip-drop tackle on Roosters prop Sio Siua Taukeiaho which had Roosters coach Trent Robinson on his feet and angry on the bench.
Mitchell mayhem
Mitchell had the look in his eye of a man on a mission against his former club and delivered genius and what could be the costliest of brain snaps.
He set up and scored his first ever try against the Roosters to showcase his hunger. This was Mitchell at the peak of his powers. He made every injection count, before putting his season on the line with the hit on Manu. When he returned to the park he was still fired up and that lit a fuse that went through every player on both sides, and those on the bench.
Brave Roosters
The Roosters are still in fourth but have Manly breathing down their necks. If the Sea Eagles can beat the Bulldogs and Cowboys then Trent Robinson’s men will be playing sudden death finals. Forward leader Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will be back but the Roosters have not beaten a team above them on the ladder this year. Their courage has been enormous but they are now down to the bare bones of a squad that was already decimated. They can’t take a trick right now and also lost bench forward Ben Thomas to concussion.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
