South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett says star centre Latrell Mitchell’s decision to be unavailable for the opening match of the State of Origin series is a “selfless” choice that reflects his maturity. Bennett’s comments indicate Mitchell is prioritising his recovery and preparation to maximise his chances of returning for the second Origin game. Multiple outlets report Bennett characterises the move as responsible and aligned with the team’s longer-term goals during the series.
The reports confirm Bennett expects Mitchell will be available for game two, after sitting out the Origin opener. Bennett frames the decision as taking one for the team, rather than an individual setback, and suggests Mitchell’s approach is consistent with how elite players manage availability across high-stakes representative matches. The coverage is otherwise aligned on the key details: Bennett’s praise, Mitchell’s unavailability for game one, and the coach’s stated return timeframe for the following match.
