Latrell Mitchell’s brother sheds 25kg and gets professional rugby league chance

It’s a good news story emanating from the NRL, but Latrell Mitchell’s brother, Shaquai, has turned his life around.

The 25-year-old has impressed the coaching staff at the South Sydney Rabbitohs, shedding 25 kilograms in a bid to earn a much improved NRL deal.

Shaquai is currently on a $1000 a week deal for 2022, but has “NRL potential,” according to new Rabbitohs boss Jason Demetriou.

Though Shaquai had been on the books at the Sydney Roosters, he had failed to earn a deal, but his hard work appears destined to pay off at Souths.

Demetriou recently told the Sydney Morning Herald: “He’s certainly got the skill set, and he’s now got himself into shape to become that.

“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 1. 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,” Demetriou continued.

“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.

“Shaq understands the opportunity in front of him because he didn’t make the most of the one he had before. It doesn’t matter if you succeed or fail, it’s a matter of making sure you don’t live with any regrets.”