NSWRL

Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley has indicated Latrell Mitchell could make a shock switch to the back-row for the upcoming NRL All Stars match at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday 15 February.

Mitchell was a clear fan favourite for the Indigenous N o.1 jersey following the official team announcement on Tuesday but questions surrounding his match fitness may reduce his playing time at the back.

Daley has previously experimented with playing outside backs in the second-row for the Indigenous All Stars - most notably Jack Wighton and Greg Inglis - and wouldn’t rule out a similar move for the former Sydney Roosters centre turned South Sydney fullback .

“The votes suggested he was always going to be fullback (and) I think the fans wanted to see him play there,” Daley told NRL.com.

“I’d say he won’t be there for the whole 80 minutes, depending on how he goes, we might have to spell him at some stage.

“A lot of our players, particularly our outside backs, find themselves (spending) five or six minutes in the back-row just because we lack a bit of size and depth in the forwards.

“I’m not saying that Latrell may find himself there but I’ve done it before with Greg Inglis and Jack Wighton.

“Those bigger outside backs, I just tell them at the start of the week that they’re probably going to play and share it around.”

While Daley suggested that Mitchell may not play the entire match at fullback, he believes that the prized South Sydney recruit has the potential to thrive in his preferred position.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Latrell playing there (at fullback),” he said.

“He can the best player in the competition if he wants to be and applies himself, and hopefully he’s set for a big year.”