Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell is blasted for waving the white flag in shocking performance in loss to Cronulla: ‘Completely gave up on that play, disgraceful’

South Sydney slipped to a shock 26-16 loss to Cronulla at Optus Stadium on Saturday night – and superstar Latrell Mitchell has been blasted by some fans for his ‘disgraceful’ performance.

Souths have now lost three of their last four games and will fall behind the logjam in the middle of the ladder unless they can recapture their form from earlier in the season.

The Rabbitohs sat first on the ladder after 11 rounds but have since struggled for consistency, with defence the major cause for concern.

Mitchell looked the goods last week when he returned from injury against the Tigers, but that form was nowhere to be found against the Sharks in Perth.

In one passage of play, the superstar fullback was completely bamboozled by Sharks winger Sione Katoa who stepped the seemingly flat-footed Mitchell with ease as he raced towards the tryline.

The incident infuriated many Souths fans who believed Mitchell, the last line of defense, had ‘given up’.

‘Any other player but Latrell would be pulled after that…. Completely just gave up on that play…. Disgraceful,’ said a Twitter user.

‘Latrell quit. He was walking back before the try had been score,’ replied another.

‘Latrell just stops and shows no effort, but no one bagging him for it. Pathetic,’ said a third.

‘What was that defence by latrell. One of the worst defensive fullbacks. And then gave up and walked,’ commented another.

Coach Jason Demetriou believes South Sydney are at a crossroads and must decide what they want to accomplish as a historically close NRL season intensifies.

If Parramatta defeat lowly St George Illawarra on Sunday, Souths could finish the weekend outside the top eight.

The predicament has left Demetriou to rally his playing group.

‘We’ve got to make a decision and make it quick about what this season means to us,’ Demetriou said.

‘We’re saying the right things but we’re not putting it out on the field, not consistently.

‘We’ve got to be honest with ourselves, our staff, players and get it right, and get it right starting next week.’

Souths’ draw will work in their favour as they hope to lock up a sixth consecutive finals campaign – the Rabbitohs have a bye in the final four weeks of the premiership and play only one more current top-eight side.

Demetriou was also heartened by the Rabbitohs’ ability to claw back from 26-0 to 26-16 against the Sharks.

‘I felt like we’ve showed some signs that we’re heading in the right direction,’ he said.

‘(But) we lacked any smarts in the last eight minutes to give ourselves any chance.’