The no name South Sydney forwards who will share the workload when Cam Murray moves to an edge
After missing out on Jai Arrow, the question now is whether Wayne Bennett is making a major tactical mistake shifting Cameron Murray given the Rabbitohs genuine lack of forward depth. But could it save Souths?
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These are the no frills South Sydney forwards who will have to share the workload when Cam Murray moves to an edge.
The reality is the Rabbitohs have had a superstar pack driving their success for the last decade.
But Wayne Bennett won’t have that luxury in 2020.
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So he needs to make the most out of what he has left after losing Sam Burgess and John Sutton to retirement, and George Burgess returning to England.
While there is no doubting that Souths have a backline with the firepower of a Ferrari, the majority of names that make up the numbers in the forwards are the footballing equivalent of a tradesman’s ute.
But this is where Bennett’s gamble in moving Murray to an edge could potentially bring out the best in everyone.
Aside from Murray and Test hooker Damien Cook, you just have to look at the reputations leading the charge in the forwards at other clubs like the Roosters, Canberra, Melbourne and Manly to recognise the challenge facing the Rabbitohs.
But the job Murray did playing in the centres in that final round win over the Roosters last year is most likely what would have put this idea in Bennett’s head now that moving him could potentially make Souths a better pack, as well as saving Murray from himself.
One of Bennett’s great strengths as a coach has always been knowing his players’ limits.
Obviously Murray will handle wherever he plays, but this will also allow him to play two vital roles while also conserving some energy along the way.
There is still a considerable lack of experience and depth they will have to overcome if Souths are to be a legitimate threat.
Bennett will start Tom Burgess and Tevita Tatola in the front-row with Liam Knight at lock.
While Burgess has played 139 NRL games, Tatola has only started 19 of 51, and Knight 10 starts in 33 appearances.
Murray will be one edge backrower and Jaydn Su’A the other.
Su’A has that fearsome streak in him and potentially could be the hitman Souths need to make up for the loss of Sam.
But given Su’A only has 39 NRL games behind him, 17 off the bench, the jury is out on that.
No doubt Murray will still play sections in the middle, but the makeup of the bench will be crucial.
The likes of Ethan Lowe, Mark Nicholls, Tom Amone, Keaon Koloamatangi, Bayley Sironen, Kurt Dillon and Ky Rodwell are all in the mix.
Bennett will probably have to call on all these players at some point this year.
While he won’t get a full 25 rounds out of any of them, he could easily get them up for important block periods during different stages of the season.
That will be his best hope of keeping the Bunnies’ forwards up for the duration of the regular season, along with keeping Murray as fresh as he possibly can.
Of the likely bench options Lowe has the most experience with 133 NRL games, while Mark Nicholls has only started in 11 of his 64 NRL games.
The other five players in contention for a bench spot have a total of 14 NRL appearances between them, and all those games playing off the bench.
Amone and Sironen each have five bench appearances, while Dillon has four.
Rodwell and Koloamatangi have no NRL games as yet, although both are considered tremendous talents.
Rodwell has suffered a pre-season elbow injury and it will be touch-and-go to be ready for the start of the season, but Koloamatangi is said to be a genuine shot of claiming a bench spot, as is Sironen.
Koloamatangi missed half the season in Canterbury Cup last year with a shoulder injury but he is a local junior who the club have a huge rap on.
He will be playing in the NRL Nines in Perth this week, while he and Sironen are both expected to play in the trial match next Friday night against Parramatta.
SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS (by Tom Sangster and Rob Sutherland)
Cameron Murray, 2RF, $664,900
Murray’s move to an edge could work both ways. On the plus side, he could up his game time to 80 minutes after averaging just 59 minutes last year. But to cancel that out, expect Murray’s work rate (especially runs and tackles) to drop dramatically playing wider. Either way, with the above question marks, Murray’s $664,900 price tag is big risk. Expect Murray’s ownership to drop considerably (he’s currently the 10th most popular player).
Jaydn Su’A, 2RF, $303,600
The former Bronco is already the 25th most popular player in SuperCoach but expect his ownership to soar following news he has scored an edge back row spot. Su’A is therefore a chance of 80 minutes, a huge increase on his average of 41 minutes last season.
Liam Knight, FRF, $437,300
Knight, who recently signed a new four-year deal at the club, will be given an opportunity to make the lock-forward spot his own. Knight, currently the 21st most popular front rower in KFC SuperCoach, averaged 58PPG in matches where he played more than 45 minutes last year and his ownership is set to soar with more minutes on offer.
Tom Amone, Keaon Koloamatangi, Bayley Sironen, Kurt Dillon and Ky Rodwell
All are in contention for a bench spots, all are at or near bottom dollar and all are now firmly on the cheapie radar. Watch this space.