South Sydney Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett has officially locked in star centre Latrell Mitchell’s long-awaited NRL return for round 26, while also addressing swirling speculation around his potential future as head coach of the Queensland State of Origin side. The high-profile athlete had been sidelined since mid-May, when a back injury triggered a persistent nerve problem that later developed into secondary calf complications that kept him off the pitch for months. Mitchell was named on the Rabbitohs’ extended reserves bench earlier this week and completed a limited light training session, but the coaching staff ultimately made the call to delay his game comeback one more week ahead of the club’s finals push. Even with the extra week of preparation, Bennett noted that Mitchell’s return just weeks out of the finals series represents a massive boost for a Rabbitohs squad that has already secured a top-eight position on the 2024 NRL ladder. “There was a real chance he could have featured this weekend, and he put in a solid training performance,” Bennett told reporters. “At the end of the day, he just needs one more week to get fully up to speed, so we took the cautious approach. It’s ultimately his call – he knows his body better than anyone, so we’re following his lead. There were real questions a while back about whether he would play at all this season, so getting him back fit and firing going into the finals is a huge result for us.” The coach also provided an injury update on winger Campbell Graham, who missed the team’s final captain’s run on Friday with a lingering minor calf complaint but has been cleared to take the field against the New Zealand Warriors this weekend. Away from club football, Bennett addressed ongoing rumours that he could return to the Queensland Maroons head coaching role, following Billy Slater’s recent decision to step down after five consecutive series in charge. The legendary NRL coach has held the Queensland job four separate times previously, most famously leading a widely underrated 2020 squad labelled “the worst Queensland team of all time” to a series victory. With all other high-profile candidates including Cameron Smith and current Queensland head coach Kevin Walters already ruling themselves out of the running for the 2025 role, Bennett has not dismissed the possibility of stepping in once more – all while retaining his current head coaching position at the Rabbitohs. When asked directly if he was interested in taking the job, Bennett downplayed active pursuit of the role but left the door open for a return. “Not really, I’m not looking for the job,” he explained. “But if they need someone to step in, I’ll go. I truly believe there are young, talented coaches out there who can do the job, but I would never let Queensland down. If they can’t find the candidate they want, I’ll give the role serious consideration. I don’t see any conflict with holding an NRL coaching position while coaching Queensland – I did exactly that back in 2020, and I don’t think Queensland changes their rules to match the NRL on that front.” While keeping his own options open, Bennett also threw his full public support behind former player Darius Boyd, who has been linked to the Maroons vacancy after two successful seasons leading the Queensland under-19 side. Boyd developed a close working relationship with Bennett during his playing career, and the veteran coach said the former fullback has more than enough ability to step up to the senior State of Origin role. “I have a huge amount of respect for Darius, and he’s done an outstanding job with the under-19s, winning back-to-back series,” Bennett said. “He’s more than capable of handling the senior role. People always ask if you’re ready for a big opportunity like this, but the truth is you never really know until you take it – coaching is a tough job, but when the chance comes you have to take it. If he gets offered the role, I have no doubt he’ll seize it.” Bennett was also asked about speculation linking him to the vacant Australian Kangaroos head coaching role, after Kevin Walters confirmed he would step down from the national side following the 2024 World Cup to take over Super League side St Helens. The coach gave a short, neutral response, saying his interest in the role sits at “neutral”.
‘It’s his decision’: Latrell Mitchell set to finally return next week as Wayne Bennett responds to Qld coaching rumours
