The South Sydney Rabbitohs are putting up a “united front” internally after what has been a tumultuous start to the season, however one expert believes the “outside noise” is clearly affecting the club.
The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio reports that five-eighth Cody Walker and lock Cam Murray’s leadership have been “outstanding” this over the past couple of weeks, addressing the team in how the embattled side will get out of their form slump.
“Last year, the outside noise absolutely debilitated the club and they are trying to take a shift away from what impacted them,” Riccio said.
However, NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta was sceptical, believing Souths should have stopped “worrying about what people thought” a long time ago to never let it get to this position.
“You can see the outside noise has impacted them by seeing senior leaders and management of the club going to papers and trying to leak stories,” Anasta said.
“We read it over the week, it was rubbish, so you can see that it’s actually impacting them.
“The number one rule as a player and as a club is not to listen to the outside noise and they are clearly showing us that they are.
“That’s leadership. You should be keeping everything within not just getting to this point and all of a sudden this week that Cody and Cam are keeping it in house, it should have been done a long time ago.
“You aren’t going to get far in rugby league or in any professional sport if you worry about what people are saying about you, especially on this show or any show for that matter.
“It’s a sign of weakness. Take accountability, make the tough calls and stop worrying about what everyone else is saying. That’s better leadership.”
Paul Kent opined that there is an “uncertainty” at the club on how to handle the turmoil they are enduring
“I don’t think some of these people have been through this before so they are guessing a little bit,” Kent said.
“Whereas you see some of the some hardened coaches just sit there and batten down and know how to handle pressers and deflect whereas Souths are doing one or the other.”
Souths face the Bulldogs on Good Friday this weekend with the game shaping up as a must-win clash.
All three of the Rabbitohs’ losses have come against strong opposition (Sea Eagles, Roosters, Broncos) but will now play their next three at home (Bulldogs, Warriors, Sharks).
“I think they are hanging their hat on the fact that they usually perform a lot better against lower-ranked teams and they’ve had three tough opponents the first three games,” Anasta said.
“They are thinking this is the week if thy stay solid that they can turn it around … It is a bit of a barometer for them because if they lose this week, it’s not good.”
Coach Jason Demetriou resisted the urge to make any changes to his backline, keeping Latrell Mitchell at fullback and Dean Hawkins in the halves despite the reigning NSW Cup player of the year handing in an average performance against the Roosters.
Hawkins was brought into the side for axed halfback Lachlan Ilias. For what it’s worth, Ilias was very good in NSW Cup last week.
The NRL 360 panel believes that big changes are on the horizon for Souths if they lose to the Bulldogs.
“I can’t say I’m overly surprised. I didn’t think Jason Demetriou would go with that side for just one week after the changes he made,” Riccio said.
“I think they are a week away. If they lose to Canterbury that’s when the change will come,” journalist Brent Read added.
“If they lose to Canterbury, I think that’s when the change will come.”
“I think it will depend on the performance,” Riccio said.
Anasta then asked Read if Mitchell could shift into the centres with another loss.
“If they do to lose to the Dogs, will they move Latrell? Have we got any mail?” Anasta asked.
“There was a whisper going around that Jye Gray would come into the team. I think it was pretty close,” Read replied.
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