NRL news: Desperate Rabbitohs to call on Jack Wighton after Broncos loss

After back-to-back losses to start the season, pressure is starting to build for South Sydney. The return of Jack Wighton can’t come quick enough — but the Bunnies have bigger problems.

Thomas Burgess and the Rabbitohs have endured a winless start to the season. Picture: Getty Images

He will debut as the Rescue Rabbit.

After successive losses to start the season, South Sydney will desperately rush marquee signing Jack Wighton into their struggling side for Friday night’s epic clash against 116-year rivals Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

The Rabbitohs lost 28-18 to Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday, the famous club remaining without a win after two rounds of the 2024 season.

Suddenly the Roosters game becomes vital and Wighton will be called on to instantly revive the team and results.

Former Canberra champion Wighton hasn’t yet played for his new club due to a four-game suspension from last year when a Raider.

“Jack Wighton is back – that can’t come quick enough,” said Fox Sports’ Matty Johns.

“The pressure is starting to build for a big club like Souths.”

South Sydney will desperately rush marquee signing Jack Wighton into their side to face the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

Souths have conceded 11 tries in their first two games this season.

Wighton’s arrival can’t fix everything as Brisbane scored twice down Souths’ right edge that would usually be patrolled by centre Campbell Graham, who is expected to miss most of the season with a sternum injury.

Souths coach Jason Demetriou was left to lament a “horror show” from his troops, who committed 16 errors.

“I thought our defensive effort in the end result was outstanding, but we’re just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Demetriou said.

“You know, whether it’s, we can’t feed the scrum properly or first tackle errors, kicking it into our own player, penalties for blocking, just like, it was a horror show of just really little things that just kept putting pressure on ourselves.

“So doing that, we bottle that effort and that desire and tidy up some of that stuff then and see how good this footy team is.”

“Because I was really pleased with our toil on defence in particular. We’re asked to do a hell of a lot of it and it was a big improvement from last week.”

Pressure is mounting on the Rabbitohs after two-straight defeats to start the season. Picture: Getty Images

The Rabbitohs led the NRL competition after 11 rounds before losing nine of their last 13 games to miss the 2023 finals.

Souths lost round one against Manly in Las Vegas, meaning the Rabbitohs have now won just four of their past 15 NRL games.

Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell showed some nice touches but also committed some unfortunate errors.

He missed a tackle for Reece Walsh’s first try, missed a kick for Walsh’s second try, failed to dive on a loose ball but saved a certain try with a wonderful defensive read and scored a later four-pointer.

Mitchell certainly lost the fullback battle with Walsh but both fullbacks put on a show.

Latrell Mitchell showed some nice touches but was outpointed by rival fullback Reece Walsh. Picture: Getty Images

The Rabbitohs scored two quick tries after halftime to level the scores but fell away after losing momentum.

Souths fumbled and bumbled their way through the first half, committing eight errors in the opening 25 minutes.

On the back of those blunders, Walsh sliced back through to cut Souths’ middle apart for a stunning solo try.

NSW hooker Damien Cook was sin binned for a professional foul in a significant blow for Souths.

And can you believe Souths actually lost a scrum against the feed? The Rabbitohs committed just about every mistake possible.

Souths enjoyed some solid field position early but dropped the ball on tackle one once, were dragged into touch, kicked into each other and also kicked out on the full.

The first half was chaotic.

Originally published as NRL news: Desperate Rabbitohs to call on Jack Wighton after Broncos loss