‘Love the big fella’: Gagai lifts lid on Latrell ‘punch-on’ ... as classy gesture revealed
NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai were involved in a physical altercation during a finals match, but reconciled after the game. The two players shared a moment of mutual respect following the Knights' victory over the Rabbitohs.
Why it matters
Highlights the culture of sportsmanship in professional rugby league despite high-stakes competitive tensions.
NRL NRL-PREMIERSHIP TEAMS RABBITOHS ‘Love the big fella’: Gagai lifts lid on Latrell ‘punch-on’ ... as classy gesture revealed Gagai & Trell exchange fiery blows | 00:35 Tim Miller with Martin Gabor from Newswire September 12th, 2026 10:40 am A heated clash between Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai was one of the major dramas of Friday night’s NRL finals opener.
But the ex-teammates buried the hatchet in touching scenes after the Knights’ 20-10 elimination final win ended the Rabbitohs’ season.
The star duo scuffled early in the match after Mitchell took umbrage with Gagai attempting to wrestle the ball from underneath Alex Johnston following an unsuccessful try-scoring attempt in the corner.
The Knights veteran was then lucky to avoid being sin-binned when he appeared to land a punch on Mitchell’s chin , with Ashley Klein deciding only to book the Rabbitoh as a result of the skirmish.
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