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Jack Wighton insists Latrell Mitchell still has a desire to play in the NRL as under-fire South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou rolls the dice on debutant Jye Gray with his job under increasing scrutiny.
Wighton was reluctant to discuss Mitchell, who has been suspended for three weeks to leave Demetriou short of star power heading into a run of games against Cronulla, Melbourne and Penrith.
Rabbitohs utility forward Siliva Havili revealed on Tuesday that Mitchell had apologised for his latest brain snap for the use of an elbow in a tackle with Shaun Johnson in Souths' rudderless 34-4 loss to the Warriors.
News of Mitchell's apology came less than 24 hours after Phil Gould questioned whether the suspended fullback retained the thirst to play in the NRL.
Wighton played down those concerns before refusing to answer questions about Mitchell, who ran with the reserves as the diminutive Gray took over fullback duties.
"Of course he wants to play the game, but I'm not here to talk about Latrell," Wighton said.
"If you want to ask Latrell questions, you talk to 'Trell, sorry.
"It's not my place … I'm here to talk about me and what I can do for the team.
"I am a mate, and a mate protects a mate by not talking about him."
Souths are set to welcome back Tyrone Munro on the wing and split the hooking role between Damien Cook and Peter Mamouzelos as they bid to arrest their 1-4 start.
Gray will make his debut in Mitchell's No.1 jersey after the latter expressed his frustration at letting his Rabbitohs teammates down once again.
"Latrell has addressed that," Havili said.
"He's owned his actions and he said what he's said to us as a playing group as a leader of this team.
"He was definitely apologetic for what's happened.
"There are a lot of things that go on around Latrell. He's a big name in our game and one of the best in our game, so anything he says, we listen to."
Gray will be handed a baptism of fire at the hands of Cronulla, who come into Saturday's meeting fresh off a bye.
The cards could not have fallen any worse for Demetriou as he battles for his job.
But Wighton said the Bunnies' players had not given up on their coach as they bid to drag themselves out of the mire.
"We've all got his back," Wighton said.
"No-one likes losing. We're just in one of those patches, but we're looking forward.
"I can't comment on the talk [about Demetriou's role].
"All I can do is my job. We've got his back and everyone in that building has each other's backs."