Latrell Mitchell’s hopes of inspiring a State of Origin boilover have received a dagger blow, with the New South Wales strike weapon leaving the field in pain late in the Rabbitohs’ 32-10 Magic Round defeat to the Dolphins.
The South Sydney fullback, returning from a week’s absence to recover from a back injury, had been well contained throughout the night by rival centre Jack Bostock, and was eventually seen wincing as he limped to the sidelines.
Mitchell had been billed as a certain inclusion Laurie Daley’s game one squad, to be announced on Monday, but the Blues coach will now be left to question whether the superstar can perform at full fitness in the series launch on May 27.
He did not take the goal-kicking duties at Suncorp Stadium, and while he laid on two linebreak assists and a try assist, he was limited to just 65 running metres and two tackle busts from eight carries before exiting.
Until that point, the Dolphins had produced one of their most accomplished performances under coach Kristian Woolf. For the opening 10 minutes of Friday night’s clash, it appeared South Sydney were destined to repeat their round one triumph of the men from Redcliffe.
Two poor fifth tackle options at close range were offset by forcing a pair of dropouts, and the Dolphins’ backs were pinned to their own line.
But the Dolphins did not panic in defence, and when they did earn possession, they refused to overplay their hand, kicking early in the count and not pushing needless passes in wet conditions.
This was a side that knew their moments would come, and a shift to Selwyn Cobbo in the corner to score proved just that. With halves Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima pulling the strings in the opening half, the Dolphins stayed the course – tries to Max Plath and Herbie Farnworth following to take a 20-0 lead into the sheds.
South Sydney were lost at sea, rattled after being unable to launch their night in the fashion their field position dominance should have provided them. Constant errors kept opening the door for the Dolphins to extend their lead, and they eventually did so when centre Jack Bostock beat Mitchell on the outside to score.
Bayleigh Bentley-Hape – replacing the injured Alex Johnston – eventually crossed out wide to get his side on the board, before halfback Ashton Ward hit a hole and found an offload for Euan Aitken to score as well.
But the damage had been done, and Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow put the final nail in with a piece of individual brilliance at the death – shrugging off two defenders before streaking through the middle of the field to score. Their only downside was a hamstring injury to Nikorima, who did not return from halftime to all but end his faint hopes of clinching a Queensland bench spot.
Plath all but seals Maroons fate
The sight of Plath shrugging off a pair of props en route to the try line would no doubt have captured Billy Slater’s attention, and the Dolphins utility’s exploits have all but sealed a State of Origin debut.
Already, the 24-year-old’s toughness and versatility to shift between lock and hooker had rocketed him into the Queensland frame. But as Nikorima and Katoa left the Rabbitohs defence scrambling to cover wide shifts, Plath made a beeline through Sean Keppie, Keaon Koloamatangi and fullback Jye Gray to score.
He finished the night with 114 running metres and 38 tackles, and there is every chance he could be joined by five of his Dolphins teammates.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is a certain inclusion, while Kulikefu Finefeuiaki has emerged as one of the elite backrowers in the competition this season, making 37 tackles for zero misses against South Sydney.
Selwyn Cobbo also appears to be a favourite to snag a wing spot as Xavier Coates (achilles) and Murray Taualagi (concussion) remain sidelined, while Thomas Flegler and Tom Gilbert have thrust themselves into the conversation to join the middle rotation.
Traditionally, the Brisbane Broncos have been the Maroons heavy lifters. Monday morning could signal a changing of the guard.
Duncan rockets into contention
In what was a fruitless cause, Tallis Duncan did his chances of a shock New South Wales call-up no harm as one of the few bright spots for the Rabbitohs.
The edge forward has ensured his name remains in contention to replace the injured Liam Martin, running with vigour all night to finish with 182 running metres and 30 tackles without a miss.
He was joined in the struggle by Koloamatangi, whose efforts through the middle (166 metres, 31 tackles) will keep him on Daley’s radar.
Despite Martin’s absence, Daley will have several options to fill his backrow – Hudson Young, Haumole Olakau’atu, Angus Crichton and Jacob Preston all leading options.
But Duncan has revealed himself as a genuine bolter to force his way into the squad, particularly as Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray faces a nervous wait after being placed on report for a high shot.
