Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters has insisted Latrell Mitchell remains a key weapon for Australia ahead of next Sunday's World Cup semi-final, despite losing the left centre spot to Bradman Best in recent games.
Mitchell has not become the Kangaroos' forgotten man, Walters said on Sunday, even if he misses out on the starting side at Allianz Stadium, he is prepared to use the South Sydney star from the interchange bench.
The Kangaroos face the semi-final after an emphatic 66-6 win over the Cook Islands. Mitchell started the World Cup opener against New Zealand but was unwell, with Walker later saying he would not have played Mitchell if he had his time over.
Walters said he would instruct Mitchell to 'go and create something' off the bench, describing him as 'a creator' who can do things not many others can. 'He's hard to handle, and he's highly skilful. He brings a lot of presence as a player,' Walters said.
On Best's form, Walters noted 'Bradman carries the ball strongly, he defends well, and he's played consistently well for a long time now.' He added that both Mitchell and Best are not limited to the left side.
In other selection news, Ethan Strange made an impressive debut off the bench just after half-time. Walters said Strange had said he was contemplating playing in the middle, having trained there with the Raiders. 'He looked comfortable there, didn't he?' Walters said. Strange's father, Sydney Roosters NRLW coach John Strange, presented his son with his jersey and said he believed lock was a position Ethan could play well.
Cameron Murray will return after missing the Townsville game with calf tightness. Walters reiterated that all positions are up for grabs heading into the tournament's business end, but he had not made any decisions on who plays where.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Kangaroos are deep in talent but Mitchell's role remains unsettled ahead of the semi-final.
- Mitchell's potential impact off the bench could be a game-changer.
- Ethan Strange's debut signals depth and future lineup options for Australia.
Background
The Kangaroos face a World Cup semi-final next Sunday at Allianz Stadium. Mitchell started the opener against New Zealand but was ill. He lost the left centre spot to Bradman Best in the past two games. Cameron Murray returns from injury.
What to Watch
- Final starting lineup for the semi-final will be crucial.
- Whether Mitchell gets significant minutes off the bench.
- Strange's potential shift to lock position in future games.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedWalters said Mitchell had not become the Kangaroos’ “forgotten man”.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Coach Kevin Walters on Sunday insisted Mitchell has not become the Kangaroos “forgotten man””
- SupportedThe Kangaroos were preparing for a World Cup semi-final the following Sunday.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Kangaroos head into next Sunday’s World Cup semi-final”
- SupportedA bench role was possible for Mitchell after Best took the left-centre spot in recent games.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “after losing the left centre spot to Bradman Best in the past two games. [...] Even if Mitchell misses out on the starting side for the match at Allianz Stadium, Walters is prepared to use him via the interchange bench”
- SupportedMitchell remained a key weapon for Australia.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The Kangaroos head into next Sunday’s World Cup semi-final with a forgotten trump card – a fit Latrell Mitchell. [...] Latrell is one of our elite players.”
- SupportedWalters said he would tell Mitchell to “go and create something” off the bench, describing him as a creator who could do things not many others could.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““[I’d tell him to] Go and create something because Latrell is a creator – he can do things not many others can on the field,” Walters said.”
- SupportedWalters said Mitchell was hard to handle, highly skilful and brought presence as a player.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““He’s hard to handle, and he’s highly skilful. He brings a lot of presence as a player.””
- SupportedAustralia had beaten the Cook Islands 66-6 before the semi-final.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “As he said after the 66-6 win over the Cook Islands when it came to team selections”
- SupportedMitchell started the World Cup opener against New Zealand and went into the game with a virus.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Mitchell started in the World Cup opener against New Zealand, but went into that game with a virus.”
- SupportedWalker later said he would not have played Mitchell in that match if he had his time over.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Walker has since said he would not have played the South Sydney star in that match if he had his time over.”
- SupportedWalters said Best carried the ball strongly, defended well and had played consistently well for a long time.Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““Bradman carries the ball strongly, he defends well, and he’s played consistently well for a long time now.””
- SupportedStrange made an impressive Australian debut off the bench just after half-time.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Ethan Strange was excellent on debut when used off the bench just after half-time”
- SupportedWalters said of Strange, “He looked comfortable there, didn’t he?”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““He’s a talented player. He looked comfortable there, didn’t he?””