One of Luke Combs’ biggest hits is “When It Rains It Pours” and it must feel like that for Latrell Mitchell right now.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar is under attack as his team’s finals chances hang by a thread in the wake of 29-10 defeat against Newcastle last weekend.
The result – and Mitchell’s lacklustre performance in the game – has some fans criticising the 26-year-old for shotgunning a beer onstage at Combs’ Sydney concert last Wednesday.
Mitchell and UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa were invited to share a drink with Combs in front of thousands of fans at Qudos Bank Arena and it’s now being seen by some as a poor look given Souths’ efforts against the Knights.
“Not surprised by this at all! Bloke wants to be the ‘main man’ and a ‘Role model’ but with season on the line, two minutes left he dives at the head of a player with an elbow … And this after shotgunning beers midweek at a concert. I love him at times. But man he’s selfish,” one wrote on social media.
“Latrell should’ve done his shotgun with Luke Combs during ‘going going gone’ as a touching tribute to Souths’ 2023 season,” another wrote.
“Hahahha sucked in Latrell. Too many beers with Luke Combs,” wrote a third.
But that’s not the only “damning” footage of the fullback that’s being picked apart.
Mitchell has been heavily criticised for several lacklustre defensive efforts where he didn’t lay a tackle or get near the play as the Knights waltzed over for easy tries.
“Everyone’s sugar-coating it but let’s be honest, the standards have dropped, the discipline is poor,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360.
“This is the first try. Have a look at this from Latrell Mitchell, your fullback. Doesn’t even run or get into second gear.
“This is the first three tries of the game. This is just little disciplinary errors.”
Anasta also highlighted footage where Mitchell was walking way behind the play while teammate Taane Milne made a break and was looking for support further up the field.
“This is the big one for me,” Anasta said.
“Watch Latrell here. I’m thinking if they make a break here, the fullback should be on the inside. Taane Milne looks to kick and look where the fullback is.
“Tell me one other fullback on the field who stands still like that and doesn’t support up the middle of the ruck.”
Journalist Phil Rothfield said: “That’s really damning video. It shows a lazy footballer to me. He’s on over $1 million. He hasn’t played a lot of football.
“When you’re on that sort of money, he’s on more than double of what (Penrith fullback) Dylan Edwards is on. You’ve got to look at Dylan Edwards’ plays and they were total opposite.
“That was a desperation, season defining game yesterday and from that video, he (Mitchell) didn’t really turn up.”
The Rabbitohs are reportedly facing internal unrest after it emerged coach Jason Demetriou hasn’t held star duo Cody Walker and Mitchell to the same standards as the rest of the squad.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, figures inside the club’s football department have reportedly made their concerns known to Rabbitohs officials.
Assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris are also reportedly of the same opinion with South Sydney facing a crucial clash against the Roosters in Round 27 which will define their season.
Meanwhile, discontent with Demetriou has also emerged after players found out he had liked a fan’s comment slamming both Liam Knight and Jacob Host’s performances earlier in the season.
After his side’s loss to the Raiders in Round 13, Demetriou liked a comment which reportedly read: “We had @liam_knight and @hostyyy playing for us tonight. It’s a wonder we didn’t lose by 50 having those clowns pretending to be first graders.”
It has also emerged a Rabbitohs boss reportedly approached Wayne Bennett regarding a potential return to Redfern after his stint with the Dolphins is complete.
However, club officials denied the approach.
– with foxsports.com.au