The older brother of Latrell Mitchell is firming for NRL selection after dropping 25kg in a bid to give his rugby league career “another crack”.
Shaquai Mitchell, 25, has transformed his body to the standard of today’s free-flowing and fast pace NRL style, after once weighing in at 167kg as he battled depression and anxiety issues.
Now training full-time with the South Sydney Rabbitohs where brother Latrell is the superstar fullback, Shaquai has the chance to join his sibling on the field at the upcoming Charity Shield according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
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Currently on a $1000 per week deal at the club, the front-rower, who now weighs below 120kg, has impressed new Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou.
“He’s certainly got the skill set, and he’s now got himself into shape to become that,” Demetriou told the SMH.
“He still has a fair bit of work to do, he knows that, and this pre-season wasn’t about him trying to prove to us he will be ready to play in the NRL in round one. It was about him showing us he’s on the right path and potentially able to play in the NRL.
“He played in our NSW Cup side last year, he wanted to give his footy career another crack, he lost a lot of weight and we saw enough in him to give him a full pre-season to see what kind of shape he can get himself into.
“To his credit, he’s been first class, dropped a lot of weight, moves really well and has good skill levels for a big man – his skill level is as good as any one of our middle forwards.”
Prior to linking up with the Rabbitohs, Shaquai like his younger brother, was with the Roosters having been in the under-20s side.
Meanwhile, Latrell Mitchell is free to play in the February 26 Charity Shield against the Dragons despite still being under suspension.
He will still miss the opening two rounds of the home and away season for his controversial late shot on Joey Manu last year.
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