Watson wary of Latrell bounce back
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After years of playing alongside Latrell Mitchell, Roosters utility Connor Watson knows just how dangerous his good mate can be when he has a point to prove on the field.
The pair came through together at the Roosters and debuted in the NRL within two months of each other in 2016, before going on to each play a starring role for the Tricolours as they won the NRL Auckland Nines in 2017.
Watson said he expects a big response from the fullback in Sunday’s elimination final, after Mitchell endured a frustrating game in his side’s 26-16 loss to the Roosters last week, which included giving away a game-high three penalties and spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul.
Latrell binned for hand in the ruck
"He obviously had a bit of a rough night at the end there, but he will come back bigger next week so we’ll have to watch that," Watson said of Mitchell.
"It was different playing him as a Roosters player compared to the Knights. We’re good mates, so nice to come up against him.
"It’s a different energy and brings the best out in everyone.”
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Roosters
6th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
While their sixth-placed finish in the regular season has left the Roosters with an uphill battle in 2022 – with no team in the NRL era having won the Premiership from outside of the top four – Watson said his squad are taking a different view.
The Roosters have won eight-straight games heading into the finals and are without a loss since the end of the representative period in July.
“We’ve spoken about how it doesn’t matter who we play, if we put it together no opposition will be able to stop us,” Watson said.
“We’ve got four games to go and that’s what we’re looking forward to.
It all starts against Souths and anything can happen in the finals.
Connor Watson
The Roosters are set to be boosted by the return of forward Victor Radley and backs Joseph Suaalii and Daniel Tupou from injury, with Paul Momirovski the man to fill the void created in the centres by the loss of Joseph Manu to a calf injury.
“Getting Rads back will be a big help there and getting Toops and Suaalii back will change things,” Watson said.
So simple for Suaalii
“Those two guys have been so good for us in starting off our sets well.
“Paul won a comp at right centre last year so will slot in there and do a good job for us.”
