Mitchell was racing away to score his third of the afternoon in Australia's rout of Russia - a try which would've taken his World Cup tally to 11, and elevated him above the brilliant Campese's all-time tally - when his hamstring was ripped from the bone.
It looked as though that would be his last World Cup involvement until the ARU relaxed its eligibility rules mid-year, allowing overseas-based players like Mitchell with 60 or more test caps to be picked.
And suddenly the door was open for Mitchell once more.
He would've been forgiven for thinking that 11th try was simply not meant to be when he grassed an early chance against Uruguay.
Backing up a scything run by fullback Kurtley Beale, Mitchell had the tryline at his mercy, only for the pass to bounce up off his shoulder.
He needn't have worried.
Seven minutes after halftime, Mitchell bounced off defenders to crash over to equal Latham.
Five minutes later the record was his alone, when he accepted a cut-out pass from Quade Cooper.
Whether Mitchell's two-try effort will be enough to force his way into the starting line-up for Australia's remaining pool matches against England and Wales, giving him chances to chase down Lomu (15), remains to be seen.
"There are a few players that definitely put their hands up for selection," coach Michael Cheika said.
All Black Doug Howlett, with 13 five-pointers, is the only other player above Mitchell on the all-time World Cup tryscoring leaderboard.AAP
