Rabbitohs consider moving Greg Inglis to centres to extend his NRL career

SOUTH Sydney have discussed internally a plan to prolong the career of Greg Inglis by moving the champion fullback to the centres.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 15: Greg Inglis of the Rabbitohs looks on after a Cowboys try during the round seven NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at 1300SMILES Stadium on April 15, 2016 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

SOUTH Sydney have discussed internally a plan to prolong the career of Greg Inglis by moving the champion fullback to the centres.

The plan would see the Rabbitohs go to market for a fullback, with suggestions this week North Queensland’s Lachlan Coote could be a target for 2017, or alternatively they would place faith in former Test winger Alex Johnston making the positional switch next season.

Ironically, it’s the same sales pitch the Brisbane Broncos extended Inglis at the end of last season, with the garauantee of a centre spot under Wayne Bennett.

The Souths star has since pledged his allegiance to the Bunnies until, at least, the end of his current contract in 2017.

Souths coach Michael Maguire has told several key Souths officials he is happy to consider an Inglis switch as a long-term plan, but is currently reluctant to move a player he describes as ‘the world’s best fullback.’

But Maguire could be forced to reconsider his options.

The Rabbitohs’ flagging form of 2016 is fast developing into one of the biggest stories of the season, as is how Inglis is struggling to fire behind a retreating forward pack and with a knee injury, which is clearly hampering the Souths skipper’s impact with the ball.

Inglis has been open and honest that the knee injury will plague him for the rest of his career and the Bunnies plan to protect him from repeated punishment he endures each week by returning the football from fullback, has been spoken about.

A move to the centres would hardly bother Inglis, who boasts an arguably better strike rate in attack, by playing out on the fringes.

In 72 games at centre during his career, Inglis has scored 44 tries. At fullback, he has scored 59 tries in 103 matches.

In 27 State of Origin matches for Queensland, he has played 21 of those games at centre.

In 34 Tests for Australia, he has also played 21 at centre.

That number is set to rise to 22 matches when new Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga selects him at centre and Darius Boyd at fullback for the ANZAC Test in two weeks.

Johnston had a decorated junior career at fullback and has made no secret of his intention to make the no1 jumper his own in the future. But his stints in Inglis’ absence to date, have been less than memorable, particularly in defence.

Inglis’s fitness remains a major concern for Souths.

However, despite currently being sidelined with a hamstring injury, the 21-year-old is a student of the game and is forever turning to Inglis for advice at training.

Both Johnston and Inglis are off-contract at the end of next season, while Coote is yet to re-sign with the Cowboys.

Coote is torn between staying in Townsville with the premiers, or to returning to his home in Sydney with his young family.

The Sydney Roosters and St George-Illawarra have made a play for the in-form fullback. The Dragons believe they can turn Coote into a five-eighth alongside Gareth Widdop.

However, the salary cap limitations could limit the Dragons’ ability to pay Coote’s $500,000 asking price.