Siegwalt eying France World Cup call up after shining in NRL debut

France can expect a good-sized crowd at its first World Cup match this October if South Sydney’s Latrell Siegwalt is able to fulfil his goal of playing for the Tricolours.

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.

His six goals – four from the sidelines – 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.

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.

“I can say ‘Bonjour’ and that’s it,” Siegwalt said in the Rabbitohs sheds after his 12-point contribution to the win.

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’s Rookie of the Year in 2024.

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’s been successful this year in the Rabbitohs NSW Cup side, or at fullback or centre.

Frayssinous explained about France’s style of play and standards and how he hoped Siegwalt would want to be a part of that.

“I’m very keen if I get the opportunity to represent my father’s side of the family,” Siegwalt said.

“He was just telling me about the standards and how they were building something good and it made it tempting.

“He asked that if I got that opportunity would I be keen to play and I said I would.”

France’s first match is on Friday 16 October against Samoa at CommBank Stadium. They then play England in Perth and Lebanon back in Sydney.

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.

He found out last Monday – his 25th birthday – that he would be making his debut filling in for his namesake, NSW Origin and Test star Latrell Mitchell.

Then he helped his great grandmother celebrate her 100th birthday on Friday and then played 80 minutes of NRL on Saturday.

“It’s been a pretty full-on couple of days actually,” he said.

Siegwalt’s age means he wasn’t named after Mitchell but laughs about how the giant Rabbitohs personality keeps telling everyone he is.

“Latrell teases me about that ‘You’re named after me’. He’s still the main man. I still look up to him – he’s one of my idols – and I can’t speak highly enough of him.”

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.

Considering two Dally M Medallists – Ben Barba and Jack Wighton - were Walgett teammates shows the strength of Siegwalt’s performance to be named the tournament’s top player.

“Obviously playing in a team like that they give you a lot of belief and you just play with confidence,” he said.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett and Souths skipper Cam Murray join Frayssinous in their admiration of Siegwalt.

“He’s highly skilled ... knows a footy field and knows how to play,” Bennett said.

Murray said: “He was very good. He’s very skilful and didn’t look out of place. I’m very proud".

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