Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell is set for a positional switch and will form a devastating combination with star recruit David Fifita in 2026.

Mitchell has struggled to stay on the field in recent times, playing just 22 games over the last two seasons and it appears his days as a fullback are over after the emergence of Jye Gray in the No.1 jersey.

Cody Kaye revealed on Fox Sports News that Mitchell has been training almost exclusively at left centre, with Fifita inside him.

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“The last two seasons they missed the play-offs they ran 14th last year and only won nine games and a large part of that is because Latrell Mitchell only managed 11 games,” Kaye said on Fox Sports News.

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“He managed 11 games in the 2025 season and the season just prior to that.

“It was fascinating to be out there today with their new recruit David Fifita and watching Latrell Mitchell spend the entire time running at left centre.

“Now if that isn’t an indication that the Latrell at fullback move is over then I don’t know what is and speaking to the rusted on Souths fans that go there to every single training session, that’s where Latrell has been.

“Souths aren’t going to come out and say we are committing him to left centre, but it looks like that is where he is going to play.”

Souths have also struggled to set the platform up front over the last couple of seasons and have lacked some enforcers in the middle and on the edge.

But Kaye believes Fifita can be the missing link and backed master coach Wayne Bennett to get him back to his best.

“One area that Souths have lacked in the past couple of seasons is punch in the middle of the field, but if you get the best version of David Fifita, you get that in bucketloads,” Kaye said.

“If there is one player that can turn David Fifita into the player he should have been and can be it is Wayne Bennett. He can be the best forward in the NRL.”

Souths will also be boosted by the return of several stars, who missed the bulk of last season through injury during an unprecedented injury crisis.

“Souths were crippled with injuries, Cameron Murray didn’t play a game last season, Cody Walker missed so much of the season, but they are all there and they look fit and firing,” Kaye said.

The Rabbitohs were one of the big disappointments in 2025, even allowing for their horror casualty ward and Kaye believes the team and their coach have a point to prove in 2026.

“There is no doubt about it that Souths go into this season with a bit of a point to prove and so would Wayne,” Kaye said.

“When Wayne left that club he got them to a Grand Final and everyone thought Bennett was the saviour that would have them competing for a premiership and it just didn’t happen.”

Souths star Cody Walker has backed the team to bounce back after a horror 2026 campaign.

“Everyone loves a good redemption story and we haven’t been the best over the last couple of years,” Walker said.

“We are doing everything we possibly can over the pre-season to put in the work to not have a season like that again.”

David Fifita and Latrell Mitchell are set to form an edge partnership.Source: FOX SPORTS

SOUTHS SUPERSTARS IN FIERY TRAINING WRESTLE

Rabbitohs superstars Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita have been captured in fiery beach wrestle, with the two hulking players going toe-to-toe.

In footage posted to social media, the pair were surrounded by the South Sydney squad who watched on and cheered for their teammates.

“Come on Trell, get him bra,” one player could be heard saying, while another said “come on Davy, keep fighting.”

After an initial high-five, Fifita initially looked to have the upper hand and flipped the gun fullback towards the water.

However, Mitchell then fought back, driving forward as Fifita struggled to match motors with the star No.1 who stands at a mammoth 193cm tall.

Fifita arrived at the Rabbitohs after he was granted a release from his Titans contract, once again linking up with master coach Wayne Bennett.

South Sydney ended the 2025 season in 14th place, but have recruited Fifita, Moala Graham-Taufa (Warriors), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Jonah Glover (Dragons), Ed Kosi (Warriors), Latrell Siegwalt (Souths Logan Magpies) and John Radel (Mackay Cutters).

Latrell Mitchell and David Fifita go toe-to-toe.Source: FOX SPORTS

DOGS’ INTERESTING JERSEY MOVE

In a bid to mimic US sports for their Las Vegas showcase, the Bulldogs have launched special edition jerseys for next year’s opener against the Dragons.

Bulldogs players will have their surname on the back of their blue and white jerseys for their Las Vegas clash in 2026.

In a club-issued statement released on Friday, the Bulldogs also announced that fans will be able to purchase these jerseys with players’ names and numbers on the back ahead of the 2026 season.

“A player’s surname represents their family, their heritage and their journey. When our players run out in Vegas, those names should be visible for the world to see,” Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton said.

“93 per cent of our fans want to see player names – we’ve heard them loud and clear. Vegas 2026 gives us the platform to deliver.

“We’re taking rugby league to America where every major sport uses player names – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL. We’re adapting smartly to present our game properly to a new audience while giving our fans what they’ve been asking for.”

It’s unclear if the Bulldogs will feature name plated jerseys at other stages throughout the 2026 season.

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SHARKS SIGN RUGBY UNION LEGEND TO STAFF

The Sharks are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit for a premiership, signing a former French rugby union superstar to their coaching staff.

Frederic Michalak is set to join Craig Fitzgibbon’s staff in mid-2026 according to Code Sports to help cover the exit of new Titans coach Josh Hannay.

Michalak is a French rugby legend, representing his country in 77 Test matches across a 15-year international career at fly half and scrum half.

This will be Michalak’s second stint with Cronulla after working as the club’s kicking and skills consultant in 2022 – the same year Nicho Hynes won the Dally M Medal.

The former fly half will join the Sharks next season after his commitments with French rugby side Racing 92 end, where he’s currently the club’s attacking coach.

“Fred’s experience on the international stage will be an invaluable asset for our squad, especially heading into the business end of next season,” Fitzgibbon said via a club-issued statement.

“He’s already built strong relationships with many of our players and staff through his consultancy work and I have no doubt as to the value he’ll provide our program.”