Is Wayne Bennett planning to pull of one of his daring gambles in the very first game of his return stint as South Sydney coach?
Everyone expects Bennett to play English import Lewis Dodd in the key halfback role in the opening round of the premiership next month.
But insiders at Souths have told Wide World of Sports that little-known Jamie Humphreys has also been training in the number seven jumper and could beat Dodd to the punch.
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An off-season signing from Manly, Humphreys played one game for the Sea Eagles last season and shone in the 44-6 win over the Knights, scoring the first try.
Dodd is rated a fair player but may take time to adapt to the pace of the NRL compared to Super League.
The pair are both likely to be given a run in the trials starting this weekend – but don’t be surprised if Bennett gives the 22-year-old rookie – grandson of former league boss Kevin Humphreys – the early nod.
Real reason for surprise Warriors call
So just why did the Warriors release highly-rated young back-rower Zyon Maiu’u to the Bulldogs on the eve of the trials this week?
I’m hearing from player managers that the Kiwi club is worried about its outside back depth, particularly with first-choice stars Rocco Berry and Adam Pompey struggling with early injuries.
The Warriors don’t have the same problem in the pack, where they have a host of big, powerhouse forwards capable of getting the job done.
So releasing Maiu’u frees up some money in the salary cap – and the Warriors may well spend it on a speedy backline player before the premiership kicks off.
Horror luck strikes Knights young gun
Rugby league can be a cruel game – just ask promising Knights playmaker Jye Linnane.
The 19-year-old nephew of 1980s star Steve Linnane was recently promoted to Newcastle’s top 30 and was a chance of pushing his way into the NRL side at some stage of the year.
But the young local junior ruptured his ACL during a routine drill at pre-season training recently – just a year after suffering the same injury to his other knee.
The luckless pivot is set to miss the entire season as a result.
Son-of-a-gun’s surprise move
The Tigers have plenty of halves in their ranks – and now have another one up their sleeve.
Former Panthers playmaker Kurt Falls, who played three NRL games for the premiers in 2022, has joined the Tigers’ NSW Cup feeder club Wests Magpies.
The 28-year-old honed his skills with Wynumn Manly in the Queensland Cup last year and could prove a handy bargain buy for the Tigers.
In a long season, he could get a few games if injuries or lack of form hit the Tigers’ more fancied halves.
Another newcomer to the Magpies is former Sea Eagle Jake Watmough – a surprising signing given his dad is a Manly legend and is coaching the Jersey Flegg at Brookvale.