Wayne Bennett has South Sydney steamrolling into Round 1 after a clinical performance from his first-choice side against Manly in Mudgee on Sunday afternoon.
The Rabbitohs burst into 2027 premiership contention following the bombshell signing of Payne Haas, but they look ready for a title tilt now.
Veteran half Cody Walker wound back the clock with a stunning first half to set up the 30-6 victory over a lacklustre Sea Eagles side.
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MATCH CENTRE: Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles, scores, stats
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Manly were a long way from their best and it was a modest debut from Daly Cherry-Evans’ replacement Jamal Fogarty, but young gun Joey Walsh impressed in a late cameo.
COMBINATIONS
Walker showed he’s still deft on his 36-year-old legs with a nice step off the left boot to score the second try of the afternoon.
“Cody Walker, is he 36 or 26? A hole so big he said ‘I simply cannot ignore this’,” Dan Ginnane said.
The classy five-eighth was in sensational touch as he took the defence on several times in the first half which produced three linebreaks.
“I’m feeling really good. It’s the first time I’ve had a really good preseason in about three years,” Walker said.
“I’m looking forward to the start of the season. I’ve got that many strike weapons (in the team), I’m going to have a ball this year.”
Latrell Mitchell played just his second game in the centres since 2019 but the Souths superstar didn’t miss a beat in a dominant display that included a second-half try.
Mitchell shifted Campbell Graham to the wing and the luckless former Kangaroos player scored the opening try on his return from back surgery.
NRL Wrap: Hope for Titans after big win | 02:37
RECRUIT WATCH
Manly’s new halves combination of Fogarty and Luke Brooks looks like it could take some time to gel as life without DCE begins on the northern beaches.
South Sydney high-profile recruit David Fifita made an immediate impression with a barnstorming early break and finished with 131 metres from 13 carries.
Bennett’s other gun recruit, Adam Elliott, didn’t feature but is expected to make his debut in Round 1.
ROOKIE WATCH
Rabbitohs young gun No. 7 Ashton Ward impressed again with a strong kicking game to further press his claims for a start in Round 1.
Ward played six NRL games last season and caught the eye of plenty in the Charity Shield last week and he backed it up against Manly.
The 22-year-old looks set to replace Souths’ breakout star from last season in halfback Jamie Humphreys who is suspended for the opening two rounds, while Jayden Sullivan (leg) is unlikely.
‘Been great!’: DCE ahead of Chooks debut | 01:28
HOT TAKE
Bennett is determined to become first coach in history to win a premiership at three clubs and this Souths side might just deliver the history he craves.
The Bunnies have slowly been building one of the best rosters in the NRL, with Jack Wighton and Brandon Smith joining in recent years and it’s been another strong recruiting summer.
If the likes of Cameron Murray, Walker, Mitchell, Fifita and Graham can stay fit then Haas might be joining a premiership side next year.
FINAL SAY
Souths have attacking weapons all over the park and their stars looked dangerous every time they pressed the line, while also showing some mettle in defence.
They could be in for a huge year.
Meanwhile, Sea Eagles enforcer Nathan Brown could be in doubt for the season opener after he was sin-binned for a high shot on Bayleigh Bentley-Hape in the 22nd minute.
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Rabbitohs team: 1. Jye Gray 2. Alex Johnston 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Jack Wighton 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Ashton Ward 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Brandon Smith 10. Keaon Koloamatangi 11. Tallis Duncan 12. David Fifita 13. Cameron Murray 14. Jamie Humphreys 15. Peter Mamouzelos 16. Bronson Garlick 17. Euan Aitken 18. Jordi Mazzone 19. Adam Elliott 20. Lachlan Hubner 21. Sean Keppie 22. Matthew Dufty 23. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 24. Liam Le Blanc 25. Latrell Siegwalt 26. Matthew Humphries 27. Thomas Fletcher 28. John Radel
Sea Eagles team: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Hugo Hart 12. Corey Waddell 13. Nathan Brown 14. Joey Walsh 15. Blake Wilson 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Kobe Hetherington 18. Zach Dockar-Clay 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Simione Laiafi 21. Jackson-levi Shereb-schmidt 22. Josh Feledy 23. Navren Willett 24. Blake Metcalfe
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