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\n Latrell Siegwalt and his namesake Latrell Mitchell, whom he replaced in his NRL debut.
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France can expect a good-sized crowd at its first World Cup match this October if South Sydney\u2019s Latrell Siegwalt is able to fulfil his goal of playing for the Tricolours.<\/p>\n
When the 25-year-old made a sensational NRL debut with the Rabbitohs in the 36-12 win over Cronulla at Accor Stadium yesterday, there were more than 120 family members in the stands drawn mainly from Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Walgett and Brisbane marking his rugby league journey.<\/p>\n
His six goals \u2013 four from the sidelines \u2013 two try assists, and two line-break assists means a whole group of new fans are added to the list of wanting to see him play.<\/p>\n
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Siegwalt celebrates a special debut<\/p>\n
The French connection comes from his paternal grandfather, who lives in Walgett and is someone Siegwalt is keen to honour despite his inability to speak the language.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can say \u2018Bonjour\u2019 and that\u2019s it,\u201d Siegwalt said in the Rabbitohs sheds after his 12-point contribution to the win.<\/p>\n
France coach Laurent Frayssinous and other team officials were in Australia recently to tour accommodation and training facilities in Sydney and Perth, where the team will play. He met with Siegwalt, who has impressed the French after being named the QRL\u2019s Rookie of the Year in 2024.<\/p>\n
He was also Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Koori Knockout Festival playing for Walgett. Siegwalt has the versatility of playing in the halves, where he\u2019s been successful this year in the Rabbitohs NSW Cup side, or at fullback or centre.<\/p>\n
Frayssinous explained about France\u2019s style of play and standards and how he hoped Siegwalt would want to be a part of that.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very keen if I get the opportunity to represent my father\u2019s side of the family,\u201d Siegwalt said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was just telling me about the standards and how they were building something good and it made it tempting.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe asked that if I got that opportunity would I be keen to play and I said I would.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Siegwalt nails the conversion on debut<\/p>\n
France\u2019s first match is on Friday 16 October against Samoa at CommBank Stadium. They then play England in Perth and Lebanon back in Sydney.<\/p>\n
Making his NRL debut and possibly his international debut within six months would be something to celebrate, but Siegwalt is already experiencing a bit of a whirlwind.<\/p>\n
He found out last Monday \u2013 his 25th birthday \u2013 that he would be making his debut filling in for his namesake, NSW Origin and Test star Latrell Mitchell.<\/p>\n
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\n Latrell Siegwalt and his namesake Latrell Mitchell, whom he replaced in his NRL debut.
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Then he helped his great grandmother celebrate her 100th birthday on Friday and then played 80 minutes of NRL on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a pretty full-on couple of days actually,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Siegwalt\u2019s age means he wasn\u2019t named after Mitchell but laughs about how the giant Rabbitohs personality keeps telling everyone he is.<\/p>\n
\u201cLatrell teases me about that \u2018You\u2019re named after me\u2019. He\u2019s still the main man. I still look up to him \u2013 he\u2019s one of my idols \u2013 and I can\u2019t speak highly enough of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Siegwalt found the spotlight at that 2023 Koori Knockout festival, where he was scouted for Redcliffe in Qld Cup and then onto Souths Logan Magpies, one of the Broncos feeder teams. From there the Rabbitohs picked him up and added him to their 30-man NRL squad.<\/p>\n
Considering two Dally M Medallists \u2013 Ben Barba and Jack Wighton – were Walgett teammates shows the strength of Siegwalt\u2019s performance to be named the tournament\u2019s top player.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously playing in a team like that they give you a lot of belief and you just play with confidence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett and Souths skipper Cam Murray join Frayssinous in their admiration of Siegwalt.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s highly skilled … knows a footy field and knows how to play,\u201d Bennett said.<\/p>\n
Murray said: \u201cHe was very good. He\u2019s very skilful and didn\u2019t look out of place. I\u2019m very proud”.<\/p>\n