Jacob Gagan in line for Rabbitohs debut as Greg Inglis misses training
Greg Inglis’ likely absence from South Sydney’s team to face Manly will throw up an unusual dilemma for the Rabbitohs — and it has nothing to do with the team selection.
Rabbitohs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rabbitohs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The inability of South Sydney superstar Greg Inglis to play against Manly will throw up an unusual dilemma and it’s not a selection one.
The man in line to replace Inglis at left centre, Jacob Gagan, has the same nickname as fellow outside back Dane Gagai.
And fullback Alex Johnston reckons it could be a source of confusion on the field this Saturday night but he’s got an easy solution.
“If Greg is not there then Gags [Gagan] will come straight in … well the other Gags. We have two gags in the team now. I guess we’ll call them Gag left, Gag right, I dunno, we’ll figure it out when it comes around,” he said.
Johnston did reveal Gagan could turn to another moniker if needed but was at pains to reveal what it was.
“I don’t want to say, it’s a bit rude. I can’t tell you, sorry,” Johnston said with a laugh.
Inglis missed the Rabbitohs’ only training session on Wednesday, this time due to an illness, opening the door for Gagan to make his club debut.
Gagai revealed the Bunnies veteran was too sick to train on Wednesday and was given the day off by medical staff.
“I’m not too sure how severe Greggy’s thing is. I was supposed to pick him up in the morning for training, I sent him a message [Tuesday] night seeing what time to pick him up but he replied saying he’s feeling a bit crook,” Gagai said.
“So he’s had the day off. He’ll come and do captain’s run and see how he’ll go from there.”
Inglis was already battling a shoulder injury and was a 50-50 chance to line up against Manly but his no-show has only shortened the odds of him playing on Saturday. Gagan trained strongly at left centre, the position Inglis was named in on Tuesday.
The 26-year old has been at Redfern for two seasons but Gagai backed his uncapped teammate to take the opportunity with both hands.
LISTEN! Pressure on the Clearys, Ponga’s missing spark and rich pickings for the Blues. Plus Matty’s confrontation with “The Animal”. Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Matty Johns podcast with Paul Kent and James Hooper.
“He’s a solid player and a really strong lad. He’s got good carries and he’s good defensively too. If Jacob gets put there he’s going to do his job,” Gagai said.
“He has been playing well in the reggies (Canterbury Cup). We’re fortunate enough to have great depth in this team and that was a key to our success last year.”
Inglis missed his side’s 28-20 win against the Gold Coast Titans last week. The outside back went under the knife to fix a bulging disc in the off season and his current shoulder complaint is related to that neck injury.
He was also on a modified preseason training program over the summer to manage a flare-up of an old knee injury. Gagai said Inglis will have the final say as to whether he plays on Saturday after Friday’s captains run.
If Inglis is ruled out, Gagan will team up with winger Campbell Graham on the left edge. Youngster Corey Allan and centre Gagai will play on the right.
Halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker are both under an injury cloud heading into Saturday. However Reynolds, who is battling an ankle complaint, ran freely during Wednesday’s opposed session.
Walker picked up a shoulder injury against the Titans and trained in a pink rehab bib to protect him from any heavy contact.
But fullback Johnston was quick shut down any questions about Walker’s availability.
“He’s just a sook, he’s carrying on the old man,” Johnston said.
Originally published as Jacob Gagan in line for Rabbitohs debut as Greg Inglis misses training
NRL star breaks 25-yr silence on poo scandal
Ex-Maroons star Julian O’Neill has finally broken his silence around the infamous poo scandal, 25 years later.
Wayne’s shock plan for NRL’s forgotten man
Out-of-favour South Sydney half Lachlan Ilias is at a crossroads, but Wayne Bennett has unveiled a plan to save his career.