Wayne Bennett confirms Cody Walker will be at South Sydney in 2026 as pressure mounts on Lewis Dodd to save NRL career

Wayne Bennett is willing to take the risk of re-signing injury-prone Cody Walker for another year at the Rabbitohs, with his reasoning a telling insight into the pressure on Lewis Dodd to save his NRL career.

Wayne Bennett is willing to take the risk of re-signing injury-prone Cody Walker for another year because they won’t be able to find a suitable replacement.

Bennett’s frank admission is a telling insight into the pressure big money Super League recruit Lewis Dodd is facing to save his NRL career at the Rabbitohs.

Dodd, who has only played three NRL games since arriving from St Helens on a three-year deal worth $1.9 million, has been named on the bench for Friday’s clash against premiers Penrith.

Dodd has spent the season languishing in NSW Cup despite Walker enduring a torrid run with injuries, limiting him to just eight games this year.

After battling through hamstring injuries, Walker is now facing another four to six weeks on the sideline after suffering a calf tear at training which has all but ended his 2025 campaign.

“(Walker) is going to do another year here, and you just hope that there are injuries where you can miss them or you can get him. We just take a risk there and hopefully we can get a lot more out of him going forward,” Bennett said.

The Rabbitohs want to re-sign Cody Walker for another season. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

“To lose Cody Walker is a huge loss for our club, he is one the smartest guys playing league.

“You have to have someone there that can take his place, well no-one can actually take his place. It’s that simple. We’ve just got to persevere with it and stay at what we can do with what we’ve got.”

Despite Dodd’s availability Bennett still prefers centre Jack Wighton in the halves, alongside Jamie Humphreys, ahead of the Englishman who has been named on the bench this week.

Dodd’s inability to cement a spot in halves, after falling down the pecker order behind Humphreys, Jayden Sullivan and now Wighton, has put the club’s recruitment under the spotlight.

The club insists Dodd is part of its long-term plans but speculation continues to swirl over this future at Heffron Park.

The Rabbitohs insist Lewis Dodd is part of their plans.

Bennett said Dodd needed to prove he is up for the rigours on the NRL, a part of the game which is no issue for Wighton, to keep his spot in the side for the rest of the season.

“Put his body on the line,” Bennett said when asked what he wanted to see from Dodd on Friday night.

“He’s a small guy and there are a lot of big players playing out there against him and you have to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball.

“So if he does that, I’ll be pleased with him.”

The injury-ravaged Rabbitohs have slumped to just two wins from 12 games sliding to 16th on the ladder and are now facing a battle to avoid the wooden spoon.

It’s raised questions about whether the 75-year old Bennett, who is considered one of the greatest coaches of all time, still has what it takes to transform the Rabbitohs into a title threat.

Questions have been raised over whether Wayne Bennett still has what it takes. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Daily Telegraph.

“I spent 40 years of being under pressure mate, I don’t feel it,” Bennett said.

“So it doesn’t worry me.

“There’s pretty good morale around the place, we haven’t blown that up and there haven’t been any crisis meetings, which I’m pretty pleased about.

“I know we are doing the right things and I know we are on the right track. But we are not where the top teams are.

“It’s a process, we have to stay true to it. I know how it works. I’ve done it long enough so we’ll get there.”

There has been a growing push in recent weeks for Bennett to replace Bears-bound Mal Meninga as Kangaroos coach for the end of year Ashes series against England, amid reports the ARL Commission is preparing to abolish the rule preventing club coaches from coaching the national side.

But Bennett insists his mind remains on the job at hand with the Rabbitohs.

“We’ll see where it goes, I’m trying to stay out of all of that right now. I’ve got enough on my hands here,” Bennett said.

South Sydney’s casualty ward has ballooned to nine top 30 players out injured with rising prop Davvy Moale also now ruled out for the season with a wrist injury.

The Rabbitohs going through the gears at Heffron Park, Maroubra. Picture: Jane Dempster/The Daily Telegraph.

Bennett is expecting new recruit Brandon Smith (knee) to return before season’s end, but won’t be rushing back skipper Cameron Murray (Achilles) or centre Campbell Graham (back).

“He’s started running now, unless we can make the eight I don’t think we’ll see Cam this year. Maybe we will for a game or two, he is dedicated,” he said of Murray.

“(Graham) managed the pain but it’s got to a place now where he can’t manage it … you have to have a long-term view.

“I’m not too worried about the finals right now, I’m just worried about this weekend and getting us through this tough period.

Bennett refuted suggestions the side’s burgeoning injury list required a review of the club’s strength and conditioning protocols.

“They haven’t been training injuries,” Bennett said.

“Cody (got injured) on a rehab run, which he’s got to do coming back from a hamstring injury and he tears a calf muscle. You can’t blame anyone for that.

“He’s getting older and the body becomes more fragile, that’s part of it all.”

Originally published as Wayne Bennett confirms Cody Walker will be at South Sydney in 2026 as pressure mounts on Lewis Dodd to save NRL career