Braith Anasta says it will take time for Latrell Mitchell to take to his new role, but has said the new Rabbitohs recruit must up his work rate if he is to cut it as a fullback in the NRL.

A two-time premiership winner, Mitchell ditched the Roosters for South Sydney over the summer as he seeks to play in the No. 1 jumper on a permanent basis.

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Now given that chance at the Bunnies, all eyes are on the Australian international to see if he can make a success of it.

Round 19

And speaking on Fox League’s Countdown to 2020 podcast, Anasta warned that Mitchell had to be consistent with his work both on and off the ball.

He looks happy which is a really good thing he’s close to one of the best players in the game when he's at his best,” said Anasta.

“Consistently, performing at an optimum has been his downfall, his Achilles heel. But he can’t afford to do that at fullback.

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“We’ve got to be patient with him. Wayne will be, and the expectations are high for him.

“It’ll be hard for him to step straight on the field and have the same impact as he did at centre.

“It’s going to be a big ask. If he can get it right, it’s going to take some time.”

Anasta’s co-host, Michael Ennis, said that a large factor in how Mitchell takes to the new position will be the influence of Wayne Bennett.

“He’s a wonderful man manager,” said Ennis.

“He will have Latrell feeling as good as he’s ever felt.

“He’ll give Latrell confidence in him to believe and be comfortable in the person that he is when Latrell puts his boots on he will be ready to go. But Wayne can only walk him to the door, the rest comes down to Latrell. Latrell has what it takes to be one of the best in the competition for the next 10 years, he’s just got to want to do it.”

Anasta also suggested that Mitchell needed to involve himself in the more uninspiring moments required in back play.

Some pundits have suggested that bringing the ball back out from his own end and other unglamorous basics have been missing from Mitchell’s game when he played at centre for the Roosters.

Anasta said Mitchell needs to make sure he is doing the nitty gritty as well as delivering on the big play.

“We called a lot of his games last year and I think the most important thing for a fullback is your work off the ball,” said Anasta.

“When we’re at games and we’re at the commentary box and we’re looking down and we’ve got an eye on him, his work off the ball is not good.

“He tends to get a bit lazy, when it’s not bigtime and the lights are on, it’s your turn, he tends to be a little bit lazy.

“He tends to clock off, he’s going to be tested for sure. I’m excited about it, though.”