Rabbitohs signing Dane Gagai on Greg Inglis return, playing at centre

RABBITOHS speedster Dane Gagai is adamant Greg Inglis is ready to fire in 2018, even revealing the superstar fullback beat him in a foot race at training.

South Sydney's Dane Gaga. Picture: Brett Costello

THOSE writing off Greg Inglis off before a single minute of footy has been played are in for a rude shock.

That’s according to new Rabbitohs recruit Dane Gagai, who says Inglis isn’t showing any ill effects of the ACL injury which prematurely ended his 2017.

The superstar fullback was forced to sit out the season after succumbing to a serious knee injury in round one last year against the Tigers.

But Gagai says GI is not only fit and ready to fire but that he beat him in a foot race at training on Monday morning.

“His recovery is going well. He actually ran me down today,” he said.

“I’m not too happy about that to be honest … but I was gassed.”

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Greg Inglis during Rabbitohs training.

The make-up of South Sydney’s backline for their campaign opener against the Warriors in Perth is still up in the air but Gagai is making no secret of where he wants to play.

The Maroons flyer shifted between centre and fullback during his time at Newcastle but he wants new Bunnies coach Anthony Seibold to know he only has eyes for one position.

“I love to play in that right centre role, that’s my preferred position,” he said.

“Like I said before if whatever the coach sees is best for the team I’ll play that role but for the moment I’m eyeing off that right centre position.

“So I’m doing everything I can to perform well at training and make that my spot.”

Gagai, Inglis and Alex Johnston are shaping as the only certainties in Seibold’s backline but the 27-year old remained coy about who is likely to fill the other two spots.

The likes of Richie Kennar, Rob Jennings and Campbell Graham are all in the running but Gagai reserved some special praise for boom rookie Adam Doueihi.

Doueihi’s impressive performances in the centres for Lebanon at the Rugby League World Cup has catapulted him into NRL contention.

South Sydney's Dane Gaga has his sights set on playing at right centre. Picture: Brett Costello

But Gagai suggested if the young gun is to get his chance to debut it will likely be in the halves.

“He’s been playing in the halves a bit … he’s a very skilful young lad,” he said.

“In saying that we have a lot of depth in the side which I’ve found really great and I guess there is competition in every spot on the park and that’s what makes good clubs when you’ve got guys competing for positions.”

The former Knight also opened up about the role Inglis had in securing his signature at Redfern.

“We had a conversation when it was brought up but there was a lot more too it,” he said.

“It was the club in general that showed a real interest in trying to get me and told me that I could help the club achieve the things it’s wanting to achieve.

So now I’m here it’s up to me to make sure I do everything I can to make sure we have the success we are working so hard for.”

Originally published as Rabbitohs signing Dane Gagai on Greg Inglis return, playing at centre