South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell has expressed his pride in being named captain the Indigenous All Stars for the first time in tomorrow night’s clash with the Maori All Stars in Townsville, the traditional opener to the NRL season.

Mitchell, who takes over as captain from Souths teammate Cody Walker, expressed the significance of the role after a training run in North Queensland today.

“To lead my people is an honour that I don’t take lightly both on and off the field,” Mitchell, a Biripi man, said.

“This week we celebrate our culture and get to go and express that in front of the whole nation.

“This is more than a game to us.

‘I feel content. I feel like a lot of things are going right and it has been really good to come into this camp and express who I am and fill the cup up for the rest of the year.”

After difficult 2023 season, the Rabbitohs’ fullback feels he has back to his best and coach Ronnie Griffiths believes he is the right man to lead the team.

‘Latrell is a pillar in our community, his work away from the limelight is unheralded,” Griffiths told NRL.com.

“A magical player who will go to the ‘nth’ degree to make sure the All Stars camp is a success and leave a lasting impact in community.”