Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has surprised fans having demoted incumbent halfback Jamie Humphreys to the bench for the returning Ashton Ward this weekend. The Rabbitohs are sitting fourth on the ladder and despite a blip on the radar last weekend are looking like one of the NRL teams to beat this year.
Latrell Mitchell won the RLPA Player of the Month award after a barnstorming few weeks to help propel his side into the top four. However, Bennett has opted to shake-up the spine thanks to the return of Ward.
Wayne Bennett (pictured left) has surprised fans having demoted incumbent halfback Jamie Humphreys (pictured far right) to the bench for the returning Ashton Ward. (Images: Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
The 22-year-old has only played seven games for the Rabbitohs and suffered an ankle injury in the first game of the season. This saw him miss eight rounds after undergoing surgery.
And it didn’t take long for Bennett to throw Ward straight back into the No.7 jersey to partner Cody Walker against the Sharks. Many thought Humphreys would then shift to dummy-half with Brandon Smith injured for up to four weeks.
Although Humphreys was demoted to the bench with Bronson Garlick remaining in the No.9 jersey to start the game. This has come as a surprise to some who felt Humphreys didn’t deserve to be demoted after helping the Rabbitohs to fourth on the ladder.
This is a big call from Bennett who feels Ward might add more alongside Walker. Humphreys is a bigger body and is solid in defence, but Ward does add some craft and a running game that could compliment Walker. Fans were surprised by the move after such a great start to the season.
Jye Gray returns for the Rabbitohs
In a another boost for the Rabbitohs , Jye Gray will return in the No.1 jersey. Matt Dufty has done a great job filling in for Gray since his shoulder injury. The Rabbitohs have been light on troops, but the returning Dufty stepped-up and helped the side to wins over the Dragons and the Storm.
Speaking on SEN Radio, premiership winner Chad Townsend admitted Dufty has been great for the Rabbitohs with plenty of question marks over where he will end up next year. He also thinks the competition for the fullback role is great for the club.
“Matt Dufty, he is back to No.14 I don’t know if he will get on the field, but you have got to give it to him,” Townsend said on Tuesday. “I have been super impressed to what he has done over the past couple of weeks. It has kind of put a little bit of pressure on Jye Gray to come in and perform.”
Townsend and Bryan Fletcher both agreed Dufty should easily find a contract for next season considering he is only on a one-year deal with the Rabbitohs. Campbell Graham has also been named in the centres for the game after Jack Wighton’s injury.
Ashton Ward (pictured) is set to return for the Rabbitohs this weekend. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
(Matt King via Getty Images)
Jye Gray (pictured) is set to return for against the Sharks on the weekend. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
(Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)