Cody Walker the difference in South Sydney’s torrid 16-12 win over Canberra

Cody Walker starred in South Sydney’s 16-12 win over Canberra and continued to push his Origin claims as Wayne Bennett fired a withering blast at incumbent Blues Nathan Cleary and James Maloney.

• LEGEND: Raiders premiership hero dies at 48

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Wayne Bennett took a deep breath.

And then he let loose.

“I’ll say what no one else wants to say,’’ Bennett said.

“They (NSW) cannot pick the halfback ( Nathan Cleary) and five-eighth (James Maloney) from last year. They are the key players at their club (Penrith) and their club is not going well.

“They are not playing well.’’

Bennett sensationally slammed Blues incumbents Maloney and Cleary as “hopelessly out of form’’ after NSW Cody Walker further pressed his claims for him and Adam Reynolds to replace them by inspiring Souths to a 16-12 win over the Raiders.

Walker was again the difference between the two teams. AAP Image/Rohan Thomson.

In a dramatic postscript to the come-from-behind win at GIO Stadium that sent South Sydney to the top of the table, Bennett took the extraordinary step of warning the Blues away from the underfire Penrith pair.

“There are too many quality players in this competition for them to be picked,’’ Bennett said.

“I don’t know what they will do but that is the talk. I coached seven series of Origin so I kind of know how it works. Last year’s pair, who were in great form last year, are way off it. In the positions that they play, you can’t think that they are going to go out with that type of form and star. It isn’t going to happen. Now with key playmakers because it is all about confidence.’’

PICK ME, PICK ME

Cody Walker isn’t just knocking on Brad Fittler’s door – he is kicking, scratching and pounding.

In another performance that screamed State of Origin, the NSW hopeful proved the difference as South Sydney made it six wins in a row by shading the Raiders.

Combining with Blues incumbent Damien Cook to score a try before setting up another, Walker sparked Souths to the 16-12 come from behind victory at GIO stadium.

First scoring a game breaker and then delivering the match winner by sending over Mawene Hiroti over for the 70th minute sealer, Walker is screaming to be picked for State of Origin I ahead of Cleary and Maloney.

Bennett is demanding it.

“I know this much and that is Cody is playing so well, Reynolds is playing great, and there are guys at other clubs that are playing some good football,’’ Bennett said.

“I am not trying to push anyone from my club but everyone has to stop talking about last year’s pairing because they are terribly out of form. They will not get there form back in an Origin game that I can tell you.’’

Young forward Corey Horsburgh played well for Canberra. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

THE PARTNER IN CRIME

Walker’s latest five-star performance could help resurrect Adam Reynolds’ State of Origin career.

Dumped by the Blues after playing just two games in 2016, Reynolds table topping combination with in-form Walker may force NSW into a recall.

Reynolds was solid but not spectacular last night in a defence-orientated game that was played in the middle.

Like always, his kicking game was strong, as was his leadership.

So is Reynolds combination with Walker enough to get him a NSW start in front of the inform Rooster Luke Keary?

“That is Freddy’s call,’’ Bennett said.

“But there is also a pretty good five-eighht at the Roosters. Some others in the competition too. I am just saying you need form players in the key positions.’’

THE BATTLE OF THE BRITS

Dark and near freezing, Canberra proved the perfect setting for a match that saw a record breaking six Brits play in an NRL match.

Billed as the battle of Britain, Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead, Ryan Sutton went to war with countrymen Tom Burgess, Sam Burgess, and George Burgess in a three-on-three fight.

In a bruising first half dominated by defence, Hodgson scored a points victory over his countrymen with the hooker at his scheming best.

But it was the South Sydney trio who ultimately claimed the win after Raiders centre Jarrod Croker bombed a try in last ditch bid to steal the match.

It was a brutal physical battle in Canberra. AAP Image/Rohan Thomson.

ROAD TO REDEMPTION

From the courthouse to the penthouse, Jack Wighton continued his rugby league redemption with another staring performance for the Raiders.

Less than six months after his career was threatened by an assault charge, the rampaging Raider is now being mentioned as a potential bolter for the Blues.

And rightly so.

An outside back come five-eighth after a bold gamble by his coach, Wighton can cover any position in the backline.

A Blues call up would complete a remarkable redemption story.

Canberra fought hard but came up just short. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

VALE PONGIA

Canberra paid tribute to Quentin Ponga after the Raiders legend lost a brave battle with cancer.

On an emotional night for the men in green, Canberra took to the game wearing black armbands after observing a minute silence for the premiership winning player who was just 48.

Described by Stuart as toughest he ever player alongside, Ponga played 74 games for the Raiders during a distinguished 167 top-flight match career.

SOUTH SYDNEY 16 (M Hiroti C Walker tries A Reynolds 4 goals) bt CANBERRA 12 (S Williams try J Croker 4 goals) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Chris Butler. Crowd: 16,965