I know how Toby felt: Ponga wary of getting 'Latrell-ed'... again

Kalyn Ponga was lucky enough not to be tackled by former Manly hitman Jorge Taufua in the four times they squared off, but the Newcastle skipper has been ‘Latrell-ed’. 

And Friday night’s elimination final brings the Knights against Latrell Mitchell and his Rabbitohs once more after their close encounters in Round 9 (Knights 42-38) and Round 19 (Souths 26-24). 

Ponga has some fond – and not so fond – memories of the Round 9 win, when Mitchell came storming down the eastern touchline with nine minutes left in the match. 

“You mean when he ran over me? I definitely remember that,” Ponga told NRL.com. 

“Probably one of the worst – if not the worst – player to get hit by is Latrell. 

“But I’m ready to go around again this week.” 

The Knights had a bye last weekend so Ponga was on the couch watching the Rabbitohs take on the Roosters last Friday night. 

“And I saw Toby Rodwell get the same Latrell treatment... looked like it hurt, poor fella. I know that feeling," Ponga said.

“Toby will never forget that hit but neither will any of us – he’s joined the club.” 

Even two of the hardest men in the South Sydney line-up – front-rowers Keaon Koloamatangi and Junior Tatola – try to avoid Mitchell in contact sessions.

“I’m 100 per cent glad he’s not running at me or tackling me because he can definitely put a shot on,” Tatola told NRL.com. 

“As everyone can see he’s hard to handle when he’s carrying the ball.” 

Koloamatangi adds another perspective that should equally send shockwaves through the Knights. 

“There’s another player in our team that can hit like Latrell – David Fifita comes to mind,” he said. 

“He and Latrell are both game-breakers, game-winners and they are the players you need on your team in finals because finals are very close games. 

“But yes, I am very glad he’s running with me and not against me.” 

Mitchell’s buddy on the left edge, Cody Walker, has had a bird’s eye view of his centre winding up to run through a gap, or lining someone up.

“Absolutely. When I’m playing with Latrell I’m looking out the corner of my eye to see where he’s at all times,” Walker said. 

Mitchell has only been able to rack up 11 games this year due to lower back and calf strains. 

“He has just got that presence and that aura that it’s so good to have him back,” Walker said. 

“When I’m lacing up the boots and he’s sitting next to me, I’m thinking ‘how good!’

“He is so hard to handle one-on-one.” 

For the record, in those 11 games Mitchell has scored 12 tries, has nine try assists, 52 tackle breaks and 11 line breaks.