Latrell open to Origin call-up but faces nervous wait on hip-drop decision

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.

“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.

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.

“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.”

That’s full time at Accor Stadium, and the second win of the season for South Sydney.

Latrell Mitchell was good tonight – that sin bin was unfortunate, and now we wait for the match review committee to deliver their verdict on whether it was or wasn’t a hip drop tackle.

It’s been a long time coming for the Rabbitohs, does this give them a new lease on life this season?

Full time: Rabbitohs 42, Eels 26

I don’t think Parramatta are winning this one, but they haven’t given up yet.

Maika Sivo is over again in the corner – that’s his second try of the night.

Rabbitohs 42, Eels 26 with one minute to go

Keaon Koloamatangi has a double.

Latrell Mitchell put up a floating kick, and rookie fullback Blaize Talagi just couldn’t keep it in his hands.

Talagi coughs up the ball, and Koloamatangi is there to pick up the pieces. He scoops the ball up and goes over for his second try of the night.

Rabbitohs 40, Eels 22 with three minutes to go

Latrell Mitchell is starting to put some of his magic into this match, with a one-on-one strip on Junior Paulo.

That’s the kind of effort area that’s been lacking from South Sydney all year, and it’s nice to see the Rabbitohs fullback’s not afraid to play his way in the final minutes of the match.

Rabbitohs 36, Eels 22 with five minutes to go

Two sets right on the Eels line and Damien Cook has managed to find some points.

It comes from a Latrell Mitchell grubber kick, and with Cook playing in the centres, he slips past Morgan Harper, Blaize Talagi and Bailey Simonsson to score.

Nice awareness from Mitchell there. He slots the conversion through successfully and is bringing home this game for South Sydney.

Rabbitohs 34, Eels 22 with seven minutes to go

A few repeat sets and the Eels are back in this game with a try to Maika Sivo on the left edge.

There wasn’t a lot doing in Parramatta’s attack, but Bryce Cartwright managed to make something from nothing. He skips across field from right to left and, confusing the South Sydney defence, before shifting it out to his speedster on the wing.

Daejern Asi nails a curving conversion from the side line and the difference is just eight with 14 minutes left in the contest – the game is still there for the taking.

Rabbitohs 30, Eels 22 with 14 minutes to go

Sean Keppie come on down.

The South Sydney prop gets a try and pushes out the Rabbitohs lead.

In official news, Jack Wighton has failed his HIA and won’t return tonight, but in good news, Jai Arrow has passed his HIA and will be able to come back out onto the field.

Rabbitohs 30, Eels 16 with 24 minutes to go

We’ve got a few positional changes for South Sydney.

Damien Cook is playing at left centre, Latrell Mitchell is playing at five-eighth, and it looks like Alex Johnston is at fullback.

Some controversy too – Joe Ofahengau is put on report for a hip-drop…but he isn’t sin-binned. That’s a controversial decision given that Mitchell just spent 10 minutes in the bin for allegedly the same offence…