Still the No.1: Why Souths have parked plans for Latrell to play centre

South Sydney loved watching Latrell Mitchell star in the centres for NSW last week, but won’t be temped to move him out of fullback this weekend.

Mitchell was a standout at left centre for the Blues, raising the prospect of a similar positional switch in for the Rabbitohs, with Jye Gray ready to slot in at No.1.

But interim coach Ben Hornby said Mitchell’s numbers from fullback since he returned from suspension in round 10 were too good to risk moving him. Souths are hunting their fifth straight win against Parramatta on Thursday night.

Manly have moved their own star fullback Tom Trbojevic to the centres after his return from a hamstring injury, but Souths admit they have so much to gain with their main attacking weapon in the custodian role.

Keeping Mitchell at the back also gives him more opportunity to utilise his long kicking game, with several floating bombs having troubled the Broncos during his last club outing, said Hornby.

“Latrell is our best fullback, it’s that simple,” Hornby told this masthead. “If you look at his stats since he came back from suspension, they would be equal – if not better – than any other fullback in the comp.

Why Souths have parked any plans to move Latrell Mitchell to the centres

“We have to look at what he’s doing in that position, not just centre. He can pop up everywhere at fullback. And he’s been having three and four try involvements every game since his comeback.

“Another thing … he has been able to do from the back is his kicking game. It is so important. Latrell and Cam [Murray] have come back fine from Origin, and are keen to rip in this week.

“Jye has only been back one week, so it’s probably better for him to get a full game in the NSW Cup, and so he’s ready to fill in for Latrell when he hopefully gets picked for Origin III. He did a great job at the back last game, he just needs some more game time.”

Since his three-match ban for elbowing Shaun Johnson in the face, Mitchell has scored five tries and had 10 try assists in five games. He terrorised Queensland in his first Origin game in three years.

“You always feel confident when Latrell in your team, but it was also great seeing him going in on the big stage and showing everyone what he can do,” said Souths prop Tom Burgess, who added he was a proud “Blue” after being a long-time NSW resident.

Forward Keaon Koloamatangi added about Mitchell: “You see what Trell did last Wednesday, and what he has done since he’s come back from suspension. When he’s ‘on’, he’s the best player in the comp by far. He brings us that aura and confidence.

“I don’t think there is any other fullback in the comp like him. He’s our X-factor.”

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