NRL fans will get their first look at Latrell Mitchell and Daly Cherry-Evans in their new roles at the Rabbitohs and Roosters this weekend.
It was officially confirmed on Tuesday afternoon when the team lists dropped for this week’s final pre-season games that Mitchell would line up at centre for Souths and Cherry-Evans would take the No.6 jersey at the Roosters after his high-profile switch from Manly.
It’s answered two of the biggest questions from the NRL off-season and adds an element of intrigue to this weekend’s pre-season trials. Many expected NSW Origin star Mitchell to shift into the centres in 2026, having trained there during the off-season and following the emergence of livewire Jye Gray in the fullback role at Souths last year.
Mitchell is widely regarded as the Rabbitohs’ best fullback, but he’s also an Origin centre and has won two premierships with the Roosters in that position. But Gray put forward an irresistible case to be coach Wayne Bennett’s new No.1 last season after some eye-catching displays, and his shift to fullback gives the Bunnies even more attacking firepower and energy at the back.
Mitchell will line up at left centre for Sunday’s clash against Manly in Mudgee, with Jack Wighton occupying the other centre spot. Latrell has battled a calf issue that ruled him out of the Indigenous All Stars side but has been declared good to go.
Bennett has named a strong Rabbitohs line-up that also includes star recruit David Fifita starting in the back row and Brandon Smith in the No.9 jersey. Young gun Ashton Ward will partner veteran Cody Walker in the halves after his impressive displays when called up for the Bunnies towards the back-end of last season.
Roosters confirm Daly Cherry-Evans’ switch to five-eighth
While fans will get their first look at the new halves combination between star recruit Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker when the Roosters take on Parramatta in Gosford on Saturday night. Former Manly captain DCE has played his entire career in the No.7 jersey but will occupy the five-eighth role for his new club, with coach Trent Robinson keeping Walker at halfback.
It will be intriguing to see how the two players combine and whether one emerges as the dominant playmaker in a star-studded Roosters side. The 36-year-old Cherry-Evans has played all of his 352 NRL games for Manly and joins a stacked Roosters outfit that includes rep stars Mark Nawaqanitawase, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and former Test and Origin skipper James Tedesco.
DCE and Manly suffered a worrying dip in form last season after he announced he was leaving the club and speculation around the veteran’s future appeared to take its toll. Cherry-Evans was also axed from Billy Slater’s Queensland side and replaced as captain by Cameron Munster.
The 36-year-old will be keen to put the disappointment of last year aside and rediscover his best form at the Roosters, who looked particularly dangerous when Walker returned from a long-term injury to lead their charge into the finals. The classy No.7 struck up a solid halves partnership with Hugo Savala, who has been named in the reserves for Saturday night’s trial and will be desperate for an opportunity to break back in Robinson’s starting side.
