NRL 2022: Last man standing Richard Kennar confident he can handle Panthers onslaught
The Rabbitohs have turned to a journeyman who ran in three tries in his only appearance for South Sydney this season as they prepare for a physical confrontation with Penrith.
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Richard Kennar has vowed not to let his teammates down as he prepares to face a Penrith onslaught having played just three matches in two years.
Kennar was only given the green light to come into the side after flyer Alex Johnston failed a fitness test on Friday.
It will be Kenner’s second match of the season after coach Jason Demetriou opted for the 27-year-old ahead of former Kangaroo Josh Mansour and Roosters-bound Jaxson Paulo.
“I am really excited and very grateful to be playing on Saturday,” Kennar said. “It’s terrible news for AJ (Johnston) but I am confident in the job I can do for the team.
“I’ve spent all season with them and I am ready to repay the faith that JD (Demetriou) and the coaching staff have shown in me.
“I’ve prepared like I was going to play all week so I know I will be ready. It is a bit of a whirlwind but I can’t wait for this opportunity.”
Kennar’s only showing this year was a treble of tries in place of Johnston against Newcastle in July.
He played just two matches for Brisbane last year and has been a bit of a journeyman.
This will be his first finals appearance in career which began seven years ago at the Storm.
“It has been a long journey to get to this point,” Kennar said.
“The game that I played earlier in the season gives me confidence and I am thankful to have some great players surrounding me.
“I am just really grateful for the opportunity and I can‘t wait to go out there and do my job for the team.”
He is expected to mark Charlie Staines who is also filling in for the suspended Taylan May. Demetriou said Kennar’s bigger body would be an asset.
“The game suits him,” Demetriou said. “It’s going to be physical and physicality is not AJ’s strength so it’s a bit of a win there.
“He’s been awesome for us throughout the year and he really fits into our culture here. The boys love him here and you could tell when I told the boys that he was playing just how excited they were. He’s 27 so he’s been around the traps and knows what it’s about. He’s not going to be overawed by the occasion.
“He’s really good in the air which is going to be important dealing with Nathan’s kicking game.”
Kennar only arrived at the Rabbitohs in February for his second stint at the club having played eight matches at Redfern in 2018. He is without a deal for next season with this shot a chance to show rival clubs what he can offer on the biggest stage.
It is understood the Rabbitohs are keen for him to remain at the club but as it stands do not have a top 30 spot available.
His manager Michael Cincotta said Kennar was almost lost to the game.
“The Waratahs were looking at him,” Cincotta said. “When he first left South Sydney he did so on good terms and they did not want him to go. They knew he was a good cultural fit and it was an easy fit for him to return to the club.”
Buzz: Secret battle adds spice to Panthers-Rabbitohs
– Phil Rothfield
There is more at stake than just a grand final berth for champion hookers Damien Cook and Api Koroisau in their Saturday night face-to-face showdown at Accor Stadium.
You can also throw in a business class seat to the UK and a Kangaroos jersey for the World Cup.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker and Test incumbent Cook is facing challenges from not just the Panthers’ Koriosau but St George-Illawarra’s Ben Hunt and Storm’s Harry Grant for the jersey.
“It’s a fascinating clash and we’ll get a lot of it,” says Australian selector Laurie Daley.
“Cooky and Koroisau have plenty of reasons to play well.”
The 31-year-old Cook had a long wait to play Test football because was stuck behind the greatest of all time, Cameron Smith, for so long.
And he’s not about to give it up without a fight.
Cook has by far the more impressive statistics but Koroisau plays a different type of game.
This year Cook has made 70 tackle busts compared to Koroisau’s 28 and Grant’s 40.
He runs 63 metres a game compared to Koroisau’s 33.
Daley says it’s going to be a tough call for coach Mal Meninga and his fellow selector Darren Lockyer.
“Teams that make a grand final and win a comp will always have a few players in an Australian side,” he said.
“That’s why there’s a lot riding on this weekend.
“We’re lucky we’ve got so many hookers who are either in form right now or have had great years.
“At the same time it’s making it very hard for us. They are all outstanding players.
“Grant and Hunt were great for Queensland in Origin.
“Billy (Slater) used them really well. The other two are going deep into the finals.
“We’ve got to weigh all this up with Mal.”
Cook and Hunt were Australia’s two hookers the last time a Kangaroos squad was chosen back in 2019. That year Cook started in the nine jersey.
Cook had a sluggish start to the season but has been outstanding in the big games.
Koroisau has been equally impressive at Penrith, especially when Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai were sidelined in the lead up to the finals.
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Last man standing Richard Kennar confident he can handle Panthers onslaught
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