Monday Buzz: South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett fools rugby league once again
Bookies, form students, critics and experts all fell for Wayne Bennett’s bluff and the super coach is in the box seat to fool them all again, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
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Old super coach Wayne Bennett has fooled us all yet again.
Just like in State of Origin last year when the Queensland Maroons were supposed to be no hope in the series with “the worst team in 40 years” yet he orchestrated the most miraculous series win.
The Rabbitohs are only underdogs for Sunday’s grand final because the master of mind games has so cunningly and successfully kept this magnificent South Sydney team under the radar.
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Bookies, form students, critics and experts all fell for it.
This was Wayne at his best, bluffing us all.
One week before the finals, the Rabbitohs were paying a ridiculously good price of $10.
It followed the suspension of champion fullback Latrell Mitchell and a loss to the Penrith Panthers in round 23.
We were all predicting a Panthers v Melbourne Storm grand final and Wayne was happy to go along with us, at least in front of the TV cameras at his press conferences.
We all ignored the fact that since State of Origin, between rounds 18 and 25, the Rabbitohs’ form was far superior to any other side in the competition.
Souths won seven of their last eight games and had:
● A 78-point superior for-and-against to Melbourne Storm;
● A 128-point superior for-and-against to their grand final opponents the Panthers;
● The best attack and best defence in the competition;
● Outstanding defence to concede only 14 points per game;
● And an attacking run of 36 points per game.
Admittedly, they had a softish run home but they did play four of the top eight clubs, the Roosters, Titans, Parramatta and Panthers.
Still, even many of the Rabbitohs’ most ardent supporters had given up on them, especially when they lost Latrell after the sickening shot on Joey Manu.
Yet Bennett (pictured below) has this extraordinary ability to keep lifting his footy teams, no matter what the circumstances. He actually thrives on being the public underdog.
IN PICTURES: LOST IMAGES OF SUPER COACH WAYNE BENNETT
They Maroons had no hope in Origin last year but somehow won.
The fact the Rabbitohs were flogged 50-0 by Melbourne Storm in round nine and 56-12 by the Panthers two weeks later didn’t matter.
Forget the historians who kept reminding us no team has ever won the premiership after conceding 50 points or more in the same season, as South Sydney has done it twice.
I went back to listen to his press conference yesterday after the loss in Dubbo.
He apologised to the local fans, said he was “pretty disappointed” but even smiled, probably knowing we would write them off as serious premiership contenders.
Behind the scenes, Souths insiders have known Bennett has been hopeful and confident all along.
That his mood has been upbeat and optimistic all along.
They played so well at the back end of the season after Origin because Freddy Fittler and Greg Alexander chose not to pick their playmakers Adam Reynolds or Cody Walker, and they stayed fresh and healthy while other stars around the competition were getting fatigued.
They have both been outstanding during the finals.
It goes to show any side with Reynolds, Walker, Cameron Murray, Damien Cook, Campbell Graham, Dane Gagai, Alex Johnston, Tom Burgess and Jaydn Su’A should never have been so misjudged and underestimated.
The bookies next weekend have the Panthers as raging hot $1.65 favourites. Souths at $2.35. Wayne will be loving it
SEA EAGLES IN A FLAP
Manly’s decision to release Moses Suli from the final year of his contract has the potential to cause unrest at the Sea Eagles.
Suli is off to St George-Illawarra on a three year deal, leaving behind a number of disgruntled teammates over Des Hasler making the call to allow him to leave.
The blockbusting centre went to school with Jason Saab, Josh Schuster and Haumole Olakau’atu.
They were all signed by Manly’s recruitment guru Scott Fulton.
Most good judges rate Suli a far superior player to either Brad Parker or Morgan Harper, yet he struggled to get a start and played only 12 of 27 games for the Sea Eagles.
His young teammates Saab, Schuster and Olakau’atu are not happy. Neither are a few of Manly’s more experienced players, who couldn’t understand why he didn’t get more game time. There is a theory that Manly would have been a more potent attacking outfit with Suli on one side and Dylan Walker in the centres on the other side.
SEEING DOUBLE AT DRAGONS
St George-Illawarra has signed its third set of identical twins, following on from Josh and Brett Morris back in 2007 and Max and Mat Feagai earlier this year.
Thirroul 18-year-olds Ryan and Toby Couchman have secured three-year deals with the Dragons to start next year in SG Ball junior reps.
Former Blues Origin star Shaun Timmins is the head of pathways and junior reps at the club.
“They are both edge forwards and very dedicated kids,” Timmins said.
“They’ve shot up in size the last couple of years and we’re hopeful they’ll come through.”
STORM WARNING
The retirement of Cameron Smith did not cost Melbourne Storm the premiership this year.
Yes, they missed his game management on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp, but they lost because George Jennings dropped the ball with the line open, they lost Christian Welch and Brandon Smith early, plus Cameron Munster and Harry Grant were below their best.
Munster was particularly disappointing. He finished last season as the No.1 player in the game on the back of winning the grand final and State of Origin.
Yet it was Munster’s halves partner Jahrome Hughes who was outstanding and almost the best player on the field in a beaten team.
With Dale Finucane heading to the Sharks, Hughes should be appointed as Storm captain next year.
CLASS ACT COOK
Damien Cook showed why he’s known as one of the NRL’s class acts at a media conference on zoom. He was asked a legitimate question from an NRL.com reporter about past criticisms of his form and team’s record in preliminary finals.
A boofhead from Rabbitohs Radio tried to jump in to defend Cook even though the hooker didn’t have a problem with addressing the topic.
To underline his professionalism, Cook contacted the reporter afterwards to let them know he wasn’t offended by the question. Media conferences should be for professional journalists
only.
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