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AAP
Sport
George Clarke

Mitchell stands in the shadows of Meninga

Mal Meninga's international fame is proving a spur for one of his star Kangaroos. (Mike Egerton/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

As the biggest name in the NRL, Australia centre Latrell Mitchell is enjoying the anonymity of Manchester.

"There's one or two Aussies here and there but we've been able to let our hair down a bit," he said.

"You don't get hassled all the time - not that that's a bad thing (but) sometimes you need some time to yourself."

But ask Mitchell about the reception his coach Mal Meninga gets and it leaves him feeling like a nobody.

"He (Meninga) walks down the street and everyone wants a photo with him," Mitchell said.

The South Sydney fullback will have the chance to follow in Meninga's footsteps on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) when the Kangaroos face Italy in St Helens in their final Rugby League World Cup group game.

Meninga might have only played 31 games for St Helens in the mid-1980s but he is revered with deity-like status.

There is a mural of the Kangaroos coach at the club's stadium, and VIP tickets for a black-tie dinner with Meninga next month have already sold out.

After getting his body and mind in a condition he feels is the best it has been for some time, Mitchell wants to emulate that legacy as a goal-kicking centre.

"Dad spoke about him and I've only heard good things about the way he played, the way he was able to conduct himself," Mitchell said.

"I know there's similarities there and it's great to be able to have conversations and soak a lot of things up.

"I've been able to have a great relationship with him.

"Anything I've got on my chest I can say to him, and the same for him."

The Kangaroos' self-imposed hiatus from the international game has meant Mitchell has had few chances to impress the same British fans who adore Meninga.

The 25-year-old toured England with the 2014 Australian Schoolboys team and played a solitary World Club Challenge game against St Helens in 2016.

Now he is wearing the green and gold, he hopes he can leave a lasting impression that will mean he is held in the same regard as Meninga and many of the past greats that adorn the honour roll at the Kangaroos' Manchester hotel.

"I've got five more years until I'm 30, hopefully I get a few more caps and get on that board," he said.

"Everything's on the wall, all our legends.

"I definitely want to be one of those legends and I want to be up there ... so that next generation can see what I've achieved.

"Everyone else wants to be doing the same and that's why it's so great to be in this camp - because everyone wants to be the best."

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