Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of South Sydney’s clash with the Roosters and will miss his fourth consecutive match, as well as the chance to reignite a personal rivalry since leaving Bondi for Redfern.
The Rabbitohs say Mitchell’s back complaint — widely reported as a pinched nerve — leaves him unavailable for selection this week, which marks a disappointing end to what has been a frustrating season for the fullback.
This will be the second consecutive year Mitchell has managed only 11 games for the Rabbitohs, and since arriving at the club six seasons ago he has averaged just over 14 appearances a year in the red and green.
His absence is a major blow to South Sydney’s spine and attacking options heading into the rivalry, though there remains hope stars such as Jack Wighton and Cameron Murray may return.
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For the Roosters the game carries huge significance, with a victory required to cement a finals berth — though even that may not be enough, with for-and-against potentially playing a role in deciding who claims the eighth and final spot in this year’s series.
No doubt the Roosters will be relieved not to face their old centre, and their chances of a big win have only increased, particularly if they can reproduce the form that saw them dismantle Melbourne 40-10 last weekend.
The Rabbitohs v Roosters rivalry is one of the oldest in Australian sport and it always seems to deliver, with this week’s clash shaping up as another fascinating chapter in the storied "book of feuds."
The Roosters know exactly what is at stake — win convincingly on Friday and their path to the finals remains in their own hands; anything less and they will need help from other results to sneak in.