Blues superstar center Latrell Mitchell says his only focus is on helping his country win Game 2, not on teammate Spencer Laney, who he called out on social media earlier this year for racially slurring Ezra Mammoth in Las Vegas.
Lenio was suspended for eight matches for the racial slur that was widely condemned by leading Indigenous players throughout the game, including Mitchell, who at the time called on the NRL to issue a statement with the monster ban.
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“For me, it’s about making sure Ezra Mum is okay.” I think after the game… these are things that should not be tolerated and thrown out of the game,” he said back in March.
“I hope that Peter (W’landis) and Andrew Abdo will seriously consider how this should be handled.”
“For me, it opens up a lot of wounds and scars for my people and my family.” You have to understand how we feel.”
Leniu dealt with the incident ahead of his NSW debut last month and Mitchell – who returned to the team in place of the suspended Joseph-Aukus Suali – is also keen to move on.
“The NRL have dealt with it so we’ll leave it there,” he said on Monday.
“Everything is good. We have a job to do for NSV so we will focus on that.
“I’m excited about the team they have. There’s a bit of an aura about it.”
The South Sydney star returned for what will be his first game since the 2021 series alongside Tom Trbojevic, but injuries have plagued the pair since then and the Blues have lost the next two series.
Mitchell missed the entire 2023 series with a calf injury he suffered in camp, and he made it clear Monday that he wants to focus on the present rather than what happened in the past.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot of things and it’s made me more resilient and a little bit smarter, but we’ll go from there,” he said.
“Situations happen for a reason and I think the tides are turning.”
“That’s where footy is played, don’t get me wrong, it’s just the way we go about it this week and the connections and connections we make.”
“I already laugh at Jarome Luai’s jokes because he never takes anything seriously.”
“It’s positive. I’ve got Bica (Brian To’o) on the edge, so it’s going to be a great relationship with two larrikins.”
Mitchell was left out of the first game, with the star’s explosive form now too good to ignore, and Suaalia unavailable due to suspension.
He caught up with NSW coach Michael Maguire on Saturday at the 10-year premiership reunion in South Sydney, but it was 24 hours before he got the call and was told you were in.
“It was yesterday on my birthday,” said the 27-year-old.
“It was one of the few gifts I got so I was happy.
“I was with my family and I love being with my family, so for them to listen to them was pretty special.
Blues fans are hoping Mitchell’s return can save the series, with the striker desperate to dispel theories that he doesn’t care about the team.
“I like (the blue jersey),” he said.
“You (the media) can paint a picture, but I love it.