STATE OF ORIGIN: Latrell Mitchell eager to make peace with Spencer Leniu over Las Vegas Ezra Mam racism saga
Recalled NSW centre Latrell Mitchell will hold clear-the-air talks with Spencer Leniu after his criticism of the Sydney Roosters prop in the aftermath of the Las Vegas racism scandal.
Mitchell was one of Leniu’s fiercest critics before the prop received an eight-game ban for labelling Brisbane five-eighth Ezra Mam a “monkey” mid-match in March.
South Sydney star Mitchell is one of the NRL’s strongest Indigenous voices but his criticism of Leniu also made him a target for backlash.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Anthony Mundine hit out at Mitchell, who has attempted to keep a low profile in the intervening months.
Mitchell and Leniu came face to face for the first time as Blues teammates on Monday and are set to bury the hatchet as NSW attempt to level the State of Origin series in Melbourne next Wednesday.
“Now the reflection is all done and everything’s sorted,” Mitchell said.
“The NRL dealt with it and we put it behind us.
“We have to move forward and we have a job to do.
“I think me and him will talk and we’ll let bygones be bygones… lessons have been learned and we’ll go from there.”
Mitchell, who turned 27 on Sunday, has not played for NSW since the 2021 series.
His return to the Blues set-up, with Queensland 1-0 up and on the cusp of a third-straight series, has led to the Rabbitohs figurehead being viewed as a saviour for his state.
But that lofty billing does not sit well with Mitchell.
“That’s what you (the media) are saying. I’m going to play, have fun and enjoy myself,” Mitchell said.
“I appreciate it (being called the saviour), honestly I do.
“But if I put pressure on myself then I’ll focus on that all week and my preparation will go out the window.
“For me it’s about creating bonds, getting up to (NSW camp in) the Blue Mountains, rugging up and going from there.”
Mitchell is relishing the return to the centres but couldn’t resist a slight jab at the critics of his move to fullback at South Sydney.
“I thought I’d put in a bit of form at fullback and now I can’t hear anyone,” Mitchell said. “It doesn’t matter where you put me, I’ll play my best footy.”
Even if he was keen to keep a lid on expectations for this series, the returning Mitchell added: “I think I deserve to be here, it’s my arena, I really do.”
