Star fullback Latrell Mitchell has been named as the new captain of the Indigenous All Stars for Friday night’s All Stars clash with the Māori.
The 26-year-old will take over captaincy duties in what will be his sixth All Stars appearance after last year’s skipper and Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker was ruled out due to a calf injury.
A proud Biripi, Wiradjuri, Worimi and Gumbaynggirr man, Mitchell said the All Stars competition and opportunity to lead his teammates ‘means everything’ to him as a player.
“To lead my people is an honour that I don’t take lightly both on and off the field,” Mitchell said in camp this week.
“This week we celebrate our culture and get to go and express that in front of the whole nation. This is much more than a game to us.
“I feel content, I feel like a lot of things are going right and it has been really good to come into this camp and express who I am and fill the cup up for the rest of the year.”
While Mitchell has captained the Rabbitohs on two occasions in 2022, Friday will be his first experience leading the Indigenous All Stars but coach Ronnie Griffiths knows his side is in good hands.
“Latrell is a pillar in our community, his work away from the limelight is unheralded,” Griffiths said.
“A magical player who will go to the nth degree to make sure the All Stars camp is a success and leave a lasting impact in community.”
Source: NRL.Com