--- title: "Fifita’s funeral absence ends; Mitchell’s calf tear sidelines Rabbitohs for four weeks" description: "Wayne Bennett confirms David Fifita’s return after missing captain’s run for personal reasons, while Latrell Mitchell’s calf tear forces a four-week absence as Souths chase top-four." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/reason-behind-fifita-s-absence-at-training-revealed-star-ti-d25c0861 published: 2026-06-30T22:25:12.229+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T22:25:12.229+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["golf"] --- # Fifita’s funeral absence ends; Mitchell’s calf tear sidelines Rabbitohs for four weeks > Wayne Bennett confirms David Fifita’s return after missing captain’s run for personal reasons, while Latrell Mitchell’s calf tear forces a four-week absence as Souths chase top-four. South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett confirmed that forward David Fifita missed the captain’s run because he attended a funeral, but Fifita will return for the upcoming NRL match. Fifita’s absence was framed as a personal commitment, not an injury or disciplinary issue, and Bennett emphasized the forward’s role in the side’s attacking options. The Rabbitohs are banking on Fifita’s return to bolster their push for a top-four finish in the Premiership, where every point counts as the finals race tightens. In a separate update, star back-rower Latrell Mitchell suffered a calf muscle tear and will miss the next four weeks of action. The injury occurred during a high-intensity training session, forcing the club to activate short-term replacement protocols. Mitchell’s absence creates a significant void in the Rabbitohs’ backline, impacting both defensive structure and scoring opportunities, particularly in the tackle-break and offload department. The club also listed several other players returning from injury in the coming rounds, including forwards and backs, as part of a busy injury-management period. The squad’s depth will be tested as Bennett and his staff navigate rotations and selections amid the NRL’s tight ladder race, where a single loss can drop a team from finals contention. Bennett declined to speculate on Mitchell’s replacement but praised the club’s medical team for their rapid assessment and diagnosis. ‘We’ve got good people here,’ Bennett said. ‘They’ll get him right.’ The calf tear to Mitchell is particularly damaging given his role as one of the NRL’s most influential ball-players. His ability to offload in traffic and create second-phase opportunities has been a hallmark of South Sydney’s attack, and his absence forces the Rabbitohs to adapt their game plan. The club’s ability to manage the transition—whether through young guns or experienced depth—will determine how quickly they can recover from the setback. The timing of Mitchell’s injury is brutal for Souths, arriving just as the finals picture begins to take shape. With the Rabbitohs sitting precariously in the top four, every week without their star back-rower is a gamble. Bennett’s challenge now is to keep the squad focused on the task at hand while managing the emotional and tactical fallout of Mitchell’s absence. The Rabbitohs’ depth in the forward pack has been a talking point all season, but Mitchell’s injury exposes another layer of vulnerability. While Fifita’s return adds physicality, the loss of a player who averages over 100 running metres per game and forces errors through his defensive pressure cannot be overstated. The club’s next two fixtures—against the Bulldogs and then a bye—will serve as a stress test for their ability to absorb the hit without losing ground in the finals race. What’s next: Fifita is expected to start in the Rabbitohs’ next fixture, while Mitchell will undergo rehabilitation before a potential return in late August. The club’s injury list will continue to evolve as the season intensifies, with every match critical for finals positioning. The Rabbitohs’ next match will be a litmus test of their ability to absorb Mitchell’s absence without losing momentum in the top-four race. ## Why this matters Fifita’s availability stabilizes South Sydney’s forward pack, while Mitchell’s absence forces the Rabbitohs to reshuffle their backline. The dual updates underscore the human side of professional sport—personal commitments and injuries that shape team dynamics—and highlight the coaching staff’s challenge of balancing empathy with performance demands in a high-stakes NRL season. The calf tear to Mitchell, in particular, exposes the fragility of a team chasing finals glory, where even a single player’s absence can ripple through the entire system. ## Frequently asked ### Why did David Fifita miss the captain’s run? Fifita missed the captain’s run because he attended a funeral, according to coach Wayne Bennett. The personal commitment was confirmed as the reason for his absence, not an injury or disciplinary matter. ### How long is Latrell Mitchell expected to be sidelined? Mitchell will miss at least four weeks due to a calf muscle tear. The injury occurred during training, and his return timeline depends on rehabilitation progress and medical clearance. ### Which other Rabbitohs players are returning from injury? The club listed several players returning from injury in the coming rounds, though specific names and timelines were not disclosed. The updates reflect a busy injury-management period as Souths manage their finals push. ### How does Fifita’s return impact the Rabbitohs? Fifita’s return restores a key attacking option for the Rabbitohs, adding depth to their forward pack as they chase a top-four finish in the NRL Premiership. ### Who might replace Latrell Mitchell in the backline? Coach Wayne Bennett did not name a replacement but indicated the club would activate short-term protocols. Depth players in the backline, such as Campbell Graham or even youngsters like Lachlan Ilias, are likely to step up during Mitchell’s absence. ## Sources & Citations - [Reason behind Fifita’s absence at training revealed; Star Tiger on track for early return — Late Mail](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2026-reason-behind-david-fifita-missing-south-sydney-rabbitohs-training-revealed-samuela-fainu-set-for-early-return-alex-twal-update-latrell-mitchell-late-mail-injuries-and-suspensions/news-story/06222293dec936c0cb47ffb2eaac3688) — GNews.io (2026-06-24) --- Cite: Fifita’s funeral absence ends; Mitchell’s calf tear sidelines Rabbitohs for four weeks. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/reason-behind-fifita-s-absence-at-training-revealed-star-ti-d25c0861