Wayne Bennett rules out Rabbitohs signing Broncos centre James Roberts

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has ruled out bringing dropped Broncos and representative star James Roberts to the Rabbitohs.

James Roberts won’t be joining the Rabbitohs, according to Wayne Bennett.

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has ruled out making a play for troubled Brisbane star James Roberts as his NRL future continues to swirl.

The NSW Origin centre had been linked with the Rabbitohs as a replacement for retired champion Greg Inglis.

Bennett has been a father-like figure for Roberts since he brought him to the Broncos in 2016.

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Roberts was rumoured to be restless at Red Hill under new coach Anthony Seibold since Bennett’s exit.

And he was dropped for Friday’s win over Manly in what was a huge blow for his hopes of retaining his Blues jumper.

However Bennett said the Rabbitohs have categorically ruled out making a play for Roberts, who is on contract with the Broncos until the end of 2021.

“James won’t be coming to South Sydney, this year or next year,” Bennett said.

“He is under contract and in that time we will review our situation but that’s our position.

“We have (Braidon) Burns to come back and we have a good young player in Adam Doueihi, a good young player in the club who can play a number of positions, he is due back about the same time as Braidon.

James Roberts was dropped for the Broncos’ Round 9 clash with the Sea Eagles.

“We are looking for a centre but we want the right player and the right guy for the club.

“That’s why we have been patient. We don’t want get into a situation where we rush into something.”

Roberts began his career at South Sydney, playing 10 games in 2011, but was sacked for disciplinary reasons.

He is likely to receive a reprieve next week with the Broncos confirming on Saturday that fellow centre Jack Bird had suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

“He’s had an Achilles problem and that type of stuff,” Bennett said.

“But this time last year he was just about ready to be picked for NSW.

“He probably just needs a bit of confidence like most players do when they are going through a tough period.

“I’m not always sure how you get that. You can take them to that place but they have to get there themselves.

“Maybe a week off and the injury to Jack now might give him the opportunity to come back and he might just grab it.”

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Originally published as Wayne Bennett rules out Rabbitohs signing Broncos centre James Roberts