Latrell Mitchell confirmed he will be available for Origin selection if he escapes suspension for a hip-drop tackle on Eels centre Sean Russell in the Rabbitohs’ 42-26 victory over Parramatta on Saturday night.
After a short consultation with interim Souths head coach Ben Hornby, the star fullback said he was “100 per cent” available if the Blues gave him a call.
But the 26-year-old also downplayed Origin talk.
“I’m not focused on that, I just want to go and see the boys and enjoy the win,” Mitchell said after captaining the Rabbitohs in the Indigenous Round clash at Accor Stadium.
Hornby endorsed both Mitchell and five-eighth Cody Walker, despite him missing Saturday’s clash due to a calf injury.
“All our players are available. If NSW want them, they’re there,” Hornby said.
Latrell Mitchell is sent to the sin bin.Credit: Getty
“I’m expecting Latrell and Cody to make the team. I think they’re good enough players and they’ve shown before they should make the team.
“I know who I wouldn’t want to be playing against if I was playing.”
But Mitchell faces a nervous wait as the match review committee looks over the hip-drop tackle that led him to the sin bin just before half-time.
Sean Keppie celebrates after scoring for South Sydney.
Mitchell looked perplexed at the decision, and said it was out of his hands.
While the Rabbitohs recorded their second win of the season, the pain continues for Parramatta, who suffered a seventh loss in eight games.
Interim head coach Trent Barrett said an error-riddled opening 20 minutes proved costly.
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“We just made it too hard for ourselves to chase 22 points. It’s extremely difficult, doesn’t matter who you play,” Barrett said.
“We invited them into the game there at the start – two unforced errors from our back five – that’s something we need to fix. It wasn’t a great start.”
However, some reprieve might be on the way for Parramatta, with Barrett confirming he will name both skipper Clint Gutherson and halfback Mitchell Moses for the clash against Cronulla next week.
“They both ran really well yesterday, so I’ll name them [next week], and we’re very confident they’ll both play.”