Wayne Bennett has taken his first big gamble at South Sydney by signing promising Manly utility Jamie Humphreys for 2025.
The grandson of former league boss Kevin Humphreys, Jamie plays the two key positions on the field – half and hooker.
And Bennett may well give the 22-year-old a chance in the number nine jumper for the Rabbitohs next season.
ROUND 17 TEAMS: Johnson out amid huge Warriors shake-up
READ MORE: Premiership half linked with surprise move to NRL rival
READ MORE: Warner bows out as Aussie great delivers reality check
Humphreys made the switch from halfback to hooker this season and has been outstanding in the lower grades. He won Manly’s 2023 Jersey Flegg Players’ Players award and was seen as a future first grader within the club.
But with his path at Manly blocked by veteran halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks and hooker Lachlan Croker, Humphreys sees a chance at Souths under Bennett, who is always willing to give young talent a chance.
Only this week, the Dragons signed Souths hooker Damien Cook and Humphreys will push another up-and-comer, Peter Mamouzelos, for the hooking spot at the Bunnies.
BENJI’S NEPHEW LANDS LONG-TERM DEAL
The nephew of golden boy Benji Marshall has signed with the Gold Coast Titans.
Taane Marshall-Wallace, a powerfully built 15-year-old outside back, is held in such high opinion by the Titans that he has been given a four-year deal.
Marshall-Wallace hails from Waimana in the Bay of Plenty, and is another Kiwi rugby union convert.
He was playing the 15-a-side game up until only three months ago and has wasted no time making an impact in league against players one and two years older than him.
“He’s a big kid with good skills – we are very excited about him,” a Titans source told Wide World of Sports.
NOFOALUMA ‘FAIRYTALE’ DENIED
Former Tigers favourite David Nofoaluma was a guest in the chairman’s lounge at the Tigers last week, but there will be no fairytale comeback at the club.
The only Tiger to score 100 tries, Nofoaluma is looking for a return to the NRL next season after a brief stint in England.
He’s just signed to finish the season with Glebe Dirty Reds, who play in the Ron Massey Cup and are an affiliate of the Sydney Roosters.
Still only 30, Nofoaluma is a force when fully fit and is certain to attract the eye of rival NRL clubs.
UNDER-FIRE COACH LOSES KEY VOTE
Which under-fire NRL head coach has lost the support of his two most senior players?
The way the team is going, the coach will need all the help he can get to keep his job.
And having his two best players working against him won’t help the embattled coach in the second half of the season.