Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has weighed in on the debate about Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell’s participation in the Koori Knockout, despite being ruled out of the Kangaroos squad due to injury.
Mitchell was not available for Kangaroos selection for the upcoming Pacific Championships due to a finger injury, however he played for the Newcastle Yowies at the Koori Knockout on the NSW Central Coast over the weekend.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Australia coach Mal Meninga speaks about the Kangaroos squad.
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Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said he was “surprised” to see the star fullback playing in the tournament, while Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly had earlier explained that the club had given permission for Mitchell to play in the Koori Knockout.
Albanese, a huge Rabbitohs fan defended Mitchell and his participation in the tournament, saying during a doorstop interview: “It’s a matter for Latrell Mitchell.
“But Latrell Mitchell is a proud, Indigenous Australian. The Koori Knockout has a great history.
“And people even after they’ve retired, I’m not sure whether GI (Greg Inglis) played on the weekend or not.
“He certainly has in the past. Yileen Gordon, who’s got to be older than I am, was playing on the weekend or trying to go up to register to play.
“Look, it’s a fantastic celebration of First Nations people and at a time when First Nations people are the focus for the nation because of the referendum.
“It’s not surprising that people coming together to express that solidarity with each other and to enjoy each other’s company.”
The Rabbitohs had earlier given their approval for the 26-year-old to play in the tournament, with Solly explaining the different circumstances involved in the event and playing for the Kangaroos.
“Latrell had the club’s blessing to play in the knockout, and that tournament is very different to six weeks of training and playing international rugby league, which is what he would have had to do playing for the PM’s XIII and Tests,” Solly told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We spoke with the Kangaroos and NRL at the time, and they understood the reasons why we decided Latrell was unavailable.”
Reports also emerged that Mitchell has an upcoming court case that he wants to prepare for, with the court date set down for October 30, which is during the week of the final of the Pacific Championships.
Meninga admitted there may have been some confusion about how the superstar fullback was fit enough to play in the Koori Knockout, but rejected the chance to play for Australia.
“I’ve had a think about it, and from my perspective, it’s more about what he can do for the Indigenous community, and giving his time back to the community and his time back to the First Nations people,” Meninga said.
“Latrell is a very proud Aboriginal man. It did surprise me he played, I won’t deny that. But I’ve simmered a bit.
“He must have got through the weekend OK, and now I hope he gets himself right, physically and mentally, and he explodes (on the field) in 2024.”
Mitchell took to social media to defend himself and said he played in the knockout to “simply give back” to the Indigenous community.
“I play for my country because I love it,” he wrote on Instagram.
“It’s not my time to put the jersey on this year. It’s for someone that deserves the crack … (Bradman Best) or (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow). I will be back.
“Koori Knockout was to simply give back to so many that deserve it.
“I love my culture and my people. Don’t get it twisted.”
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