When South’s full-back Latrell Mitchell was scrubbed out for the rest of the season for his high shot on Roosters Joey Manu, many critics were quick to say the Rabbitohs could not win the grand final without their superstar.
Key points:Blake Taaffe says he is “ready for the challenge” of replacing MitchellHe has starred in just five NRL matches, making his debut in JuneThe Rabbitohs face the Panthers in Townsville in week one of the final
But his rookie replacement 22-year-old, Blake Taaffe, disagrees.
“I have been playing full-back my whole life,” Taaffe said.
“If Nathan Cleary kicks bombs at me, I am ready for the challenge.”
Despite the rising star making his NRL debut in June and fronting the media for the first time on Wednesday ahead of the biggest game of his life, Taaffe oozed confidence.
While many expect the youngster to emulate one of the best players in the game, Taaffe has no plans to play like Mitchell.
“I’m sticking to my normal training sessions. I haven’t changed anything,” he said.
“Wayne [Bennett] said to me I have to grab the opportunity with both hands, and I will. I’m very confident and really looking forward to it.”
Fourteen years his senior, Benji Marshall is happy to play the big brother role, but he says Taaffe does not need much guidance.
“I don’t think he needs to be helped. He’s learned a lot through the season, having been around Latrell, Cody, and even what he took out of the weekend.”
“He’s a really confident kid and we love what Blake does, how he plays, with a lot of energy around the ball, and we have full confidence in the kid.”
Walker, one of the best play-makers in the game also wants to prove there’s more to Souths than simply having Mitchell at full-back.
“Last year we made it to a preliminary final without him (Mitchell) and everyone was writing us off. I know we can do it without him,” Walker said.
Walker is also confident Taaffe will hold his own out the back.
“We don’t expect him to be Latrell Mitchell,” he said.
“You don’t replace Latrell. We just want Blake to be himself.”
The proof will be Saturday night in Townsville against the Panthers, where the winner will get a week off, and the loser will get a second chance.
Source:: ABC News
