Lachlan Mitchell born 30 September 1987 in Australia is a rugby union player for Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition. He plays as a centre wing and fullback.
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| Birth name | Lachlan Mitchell | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 30 September 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 14 st 9 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career edit
Sydney edit
As a student Mitchell played for Sydney University and trained with the New South Wales Waratahs.[1]
London Wasps edit
Mitchell joined Wasps in 2008, from Sydney University. He made 31 appearances as a regular support player for the 1XV and strong figure in the A League side. Mitchell was signed for Wasps on a two-year deal from the New South Wales Waratahs' academy. He joined Wasps on the recommendation of former England prop Trevor Woodman who coached him at Sydney Uni.[2] He made his Wasps debut for against London Irish on 6 September 2008.[3]
Upon Mitchell's signing, Wasps' Director of Rugby Ian McGeechan said, "Lachlan is a player who we feel will both benefit from and add to the Wasps environment. We have been impressed with the footage we have seen of him."[4]
As well as the playing side of Wasps, Mitchell also went out in the community. In December 2008 he took part in a visit to children at the Wexham Park Hospital giving out Christmas cards and presents.[5]
In April 2009, Mitchell and the London Wasps team took part in The Rugby Club's 'Crossbar Challenge' on Sky Sports. Mitchell was the only player to successfully throw the rugby ball through the posts. He therefore went through to the head-to-head stage against Wales legend Scott Quinnell to see who could throw the ball the furthest. Quinnell scored 41 metres and Mitchell scored 41.2 metres, therefore meaning that he won the challenge.[6]
On 4 October 2009, Mitchell was injured making a try-saving tackle in the Premiership match against Northampton Saints. Mitchell was knocked out cold before he landed on the ground and remained motionless as he was treated on the pitch for 10 minutes. Mitchell was stretchered off to hospital and was given the all clear – easing fears that he had sustained a broken neck.[7] Mitchell was diagnosed as suffering from the effects of mild concussion and was monitored by the Wasps medical team and put on a strict 5-day recovery plan.[8] Mitchell recovered from his concussion and was selected to play at fullback in the game against Racing Metro 92 on 11 October.[9]
Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks commented after the game, "There aren't too many braver than Lachie," he said. "And that tackle he made at the end was a try-saving tackle and a big moment for us. It personifies what this team is about. Lachie's gone to hospital but he was awake when he left. We are hoping for the moment it's all precautionary but obviously, after a collision like that, you don't want to take any chances".[10]
Melbourne Rebels edit
On 15 March 2010, London Wasps announced that Mitchell would move to Australia to join the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition, along with Wasps' teammate Danny Cipriani.[1][11]
In 2011 Mitchell played in the Rebels pre-season game against Fiji, and scored an opportunist try early in the game.[12] On 28 May 2012 Mitchell became the Rebels most capped player, when the Rebels travelled to Wellington to be trounced by the Hurricanes.[13]
References edit
- ^ a b "London Wasps release centre Lachlan Mitchell". BBC Sport. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
- ^ "McGeechan looks to rugby's next generation to complete squad". News. Wasps. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "McGeechan's men ready for Twickenham test". News. Wasps. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "McGeechan looks to rugby's next generation to complete squad". News. London Wasps. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "London Wasps players visit hospital Children's Wards". News. London Wasps. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Wasps take on the Cross Bar Challenge!". News. Wasps. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Update on Lachlan Mitchell". News. Wasps. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "News on Lachlan Mitchell". News. Wasps. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Wasps name side for Amlin Challenge Cup opener". News. Wasps. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Hanks hails brave Mitchell". Sportinglife. 365 Media. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Melbourne Rebels sign Kingi for Super 15". Super XV. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ "Super Rugby wrap". Planet Rugby. 365 Media Group. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ Schlink, Leo (28 May 2012). "Melbourne Rebels victims of Matu'u could play". Herald Sun. News. Retrieved 28 May 2012.