'He was close to tears': Wayne Bennett reveals emotional Latrell Mitchell moment, lashes NRL

Wayne Bennett has revealed Latrell Mitchell was on the verge of tears as he battled a back injury in Sunday's defeat to Newcastle but the South Sydney coach has backed the superstar to be fit for State of Origin I.

Bennett also lashed the NRL as he spoke to media ahead of South Sydney's clash with Cronulla, hitting out after the news of Mitchell's withdrawal from the clash with the Sharks was made public on the governing body's official website.

"He's got a bulging disc in his back. He probably shouldn't be out for more than a couple of weeks. I don't think he's in doubt [for Origin I]," Bennett told media on Friday.

READ MORE: Perth Bears circle off-contract Sharks captain

READ MORE: Daley's selection headache amid Dogs 'disaster'

READ MORE: 'Meritless': Latest $138m blow to Mayweather fortune

"He got some treatment for it and got a needle [on Thursday]. He's reacted pretty well to it all. Hopefully we might have him back next week.

"If not, he'll certainly be right for NSW. State of Origin is two-and-a-half weeks away at least, so he'll certainly be right by then."

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Mitchell told Bennett at half-time in the 42-38 loss to the Knights that he was in "a lot of pain". The master coach asked him if he could carry on and the boom centre said he could. He then walked back out and starred as the Rabbitohs went agonisingly close to snatching a come-from-behind win.

"He got home and the following morning he could hardly walk," Bennett said.

"He's been in a fair bit of pain most of the week. It was pretty brave. It probably didn't help his situation this week, but we didn't know at the time what it was.

"He was close to tears at half-time. He went back out and we all saw what he did."

Mitchell, mysteriously, was removed from South Sydney's team list on Thursday, with NRL debutant Latrell Siegwalt appearing in his place in the No.23 jumper.

Bennett was filthy that head office hadn't allowed the Rabbitohs to make his withdrawal public.

"The NRL aren't great at holding secrets, and it wasn't a secret either," Bennett said.

"I think it's the club's responsibility to nominate their players and when they're in the team or out of the team. I don't think it is an NRL decision."

Asked if the NRL was within its rights to reveal the change given integrity problems and how rife gambling is in rugby league, Bennett was blunt.

"There's nothing about integrity that was being questioned there, but surely the club's got a right to tell their people or get ourselves sorted out here before we're inundated with phone calls and the rest that goes with it," the 76-year-old said.

"I had a staff member tell me the NRL said for us to not say anything at that time. That was fine. But then it was contrary to what happened.

"I think it's the club's prerogative to make that announcement.

"It's such a big-name player, as well."