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www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/we-want-to-make-him-more-versatile-murray-shift-shakes-up-bunnies-20200211-p53ztx.html
South Sydney superstar Cameron Murray may be the reigning Dally M lock of the year, but Wayne Bennett believes he will become “more valuable” when he shifts him into a new position.
Murray had a breakout 2019 in the No.13 jersey, representing NSW and Australia and taking out the positional award at the Dally Ms. Bennett, however, will turn him into an edge back-rower to take over one of the jerseys worn by Sam Burgess or fellow retiring legend John Sutton.
“We want to make him more versatile and a bit more valuable to us in other ways,” Bennett told the Herald.
“He can play on either edge, he’s capable of doing that. I’ll make a final decision on which edge he plays on, but he can also play in the middle. It will be a mixture of both those positions.
“The way he plays, he can tell me whatever number he wants and he can have it.
“He’s not a big guy and he plays above his weight. We don’t want to kill him.
“It will give us more flexibility around the interchange and he can play in vital parts of the game.
“He’s got a great future, he’s capitalising on that and has already played for Australia.
Burgess and Sutton represented the Rabbitohs a combined 519 times at first-grade level and their departures leaves a huge void for their former teammates to fill. Liam Knight will get first crack at the lock-forward spot after recently re-signing on a four-year deal.
“We are going to miss those blokes, they are some of the great players in our game,” Bennett said.
“Last year we had John Sutton and Sam Burgess playing there for us and that’s changed and we’ll tinker with a few things.
“We’ll give Liam the opportunity to start, he’s a starter now.
“We’ll get a better balance and maximise what we have got.”
Souths have all but given up on welcoming Jai Arrow to the club before his new contract commences in 2021. The Gold Coast are still reeling from another ACL injury to captain Ryan James and aren’t prepared to let their other marquee forward depart early.
The Titans were keen to explore the possibility of signing Newcastle prop Herman Ese'ese to bolster their pack immediately, although the Knights made it clear they won’t be letting him go.
Souths may not get Arrow immediately, but they are planning for the future. They already have one of the most exciting prospects in the game, Joseph Suaalii, on their books and are preparing to offer him a contract extension that will make him the richest teen in the game.
Suaalii isn’t able to play first-grade until his 18th birthday ticks over next August. However, he is one of the hottest properties in either code with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie recently meeting with him in a bid to get him to commit to the 15-man game.
The Rabbitohs under-16s captain tore up the Harold Matthews competition; in just nine games he scored 15 tries, made 84 tackle breaks, notched six try-assists and made 11 line breaks.
The 16-year-old is a member of the NSW Blues’ pathway program, but Samoan coach Matt Parish wants to encourage him to pledge his eligibility to the Pacific Nation for the 2021 World Cup.
“Definitely, I’ve seen him play and he’s going to be a good player,” Parish said.
“You talk about a Greg Inglis clone - full stop, that’s it. He quick, big, strong, skilful, good in the air, he’s got it.
“He’s a big athletic thing, quick and strong. He’s got that physique where he’s going to fill out. He’s obviously got some talent and the physique to go with it. If he keeps his head down and does the right things, he’s going to make it somewhere.”
That’s big news lads!
Knight is now likely to get DPP too and I’m sure he will get 50mins at lock maybe even 51-52mins.
Liam Knight, lock it in!
South Sydney superstar Cameron Murray may be the reigning Dally M lock of the year, but Wayne Bennett believes he will become “more valuable” when he shifts him into a new position.
Murray had a breakout 2019 in the No.13 jersey, representing NSW and Australia and taking out the positional award at the Dally Ms. Bennett, however, will turn him into an edge back-rower to take over one of the jerseys worn by Sam Burgess or fellow retiring legend John Sutton.
“We want to make him more versatile and a bit more valuable to us in other ways,” Bennett told the Herald.
“He can play on either edge, he’s capable of doing that. I’ll make a final decision on which edge he plays on, but he can also play in the middle. It will be a mixture of both those positions.
“The way he plays, he can tell me whatever number he wants and he can have it.
“He’s not a big guy and he plays above his weight. We don’t want to kill him.
“It will give us more flexibility around the interchange and he can play in vital parts of the game.
“He’s got a great future, he’s capitalising on that and has already played for Australia.
Burgess and Sutton represented the Rabbitohs a combined 519 times at first-grade level and their departures leaves a huge void for their former teammates to fill. Liam Knight will get first crack at the lock-forward spot after recently re-signing on a four-year deal.
“We are going to miss those blokes, they are some of the great players in our game,” Bennett said.
“Last year we had John Sutton and Sam Burgess playing there for us and that’s changed and we’ll tinker with a few things.
“We’ll give Liam the opportunity to start, he’s a starter now.
“We’ll get a better balance and maximise what we have got.”
Souths have all but given up on welcoming Jai Arrow to the club before his new contract commences in 2021. The Gold Coast are still reeling from another ACL injury to captain Ryan James and aren’t prepared to let their other marquee forward depart early.
The Titans were keen to explore the possibility of signing Newcastle prop Herman Ese'ese to bolster their pack immediately, although the Knights made it clear they won’t be letting him go.
Souths may not get Arrow immediately, but they are planning for the future. They already have one of the most exciting prospects in the game, Joseph Suaalii, on their books and are preparing to offer him a contract extension that will make him the richest teen in the game.
Suaalii isn’t able to play first-grade until his 18th birthday ticks over next August. However, he is one of the hottest properties in either code with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie recently meeting with him in a bid to get him to commit to the 15-man game.
The Rabbitohs under-16s captain tore up the Harold Matthews competition; in just nine games he scored 15 tries, made 84 tackle breaks, notched six try-assists and made 11 line breaks.
The 16-year-old is a member of the NSW Blues’ pathway program, but Samoan coach Matt Parish wants to encourage him to pledge his eligibility to the Pacific Nation for the 2021 World Cup.
“Definitely, I’ve seen him play and he’s going to be a good player,” Parish said.
“You talk about a Greg Inglis clone - full stop, that’s it. He quick, big, strong, skilful, good in the air, he’s got it.
“He’s a big athletic thing, quick and strong. He’s got that physique where he’s going to fill out. He’s obviously got some talent and the physique to go with it. If he keeps his head down and does the right things, he’s going to make it somewhere.”
That’s big news lads!
Knight is now likely to get DPP too and I’m sure he will get 50mins at lock maybe even 51-52mins.
Liam Knight, lock it in!
