The South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback was clever in the final second of the game.
Queensland legend Johnathan Thurston has called out the Broncos for looking lost after the astonishing loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Latrell Mitchell’s controversial try at the end a tipping point. In the eyes of most NSW Blues fans, Mitchell secured his State of Origin jersey on Friday night having rescued the Rabbitohs with an astonishing display.
After two try-saving tackles on Payne Haas and Deine Mariner to keep the Broncos from pushing out the score, Mitchell then hit a two-point field goal from 50 metres out to hand the Rabbitohs a 16-14 lead. Mitchell was defiant after the incredible moment, with just 90 seconds left, having not celebrated at all in a potential message to his critics after a turbulent 12 months.
And in a final message to his doubters, Mitchell finished the game off with a clever try. But the effort divided fans around the country. The Rabbitohs were surrendering in tackles on the Broncos defensive line with the clock ticking down.
With just two seconds left, Mitchell ran into dummy-half and picked up the ball. The fullback then took a knee as he waited for the Broncos defenders to come place an arm on him to register the tackle. Haas and Selwyn Cobbo had turned their backs thinking the game was over with time having elapsed. While Billy Walters was left alone to tackle Mitchell.
After a moments hesitation from the Broncos with time up, Mitchell suddenly dove over the line for a try. Haas and a number of the Broncos teammates looked furious with Mitchell’s decision having asked the referee if he had surrendered already.
However, the try was awarded with Mitchell celebrating the moment with his teammates.Although many were divided having asked whether Mitchell had used the tactic for an unfair advantage.
If a player surrenders in a tackle, any force from a a defender is often frowned upon with the player unable to brace for impact. Although Mitchell used the hesitation from the Broncos line to scoot over for a try.
In American sport, such as the NBA or NFL, this attempt to fool your opponents would be frowned upon. Although Mitchell technically did nothing wrong having played to the whistle like players are taught. Fans were divided over the incident, but there was nothing wrong with Mitchell’s try with the Broncos players coming under pressure for their reaction to the moment.
