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Rabbitohs Injuries and Suspensions

callmack1

callmack1

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South Sydney anger at NSWRL All Stars call that rules Jacob Gagai out of Las Vegas blockbuster | Daily Telegraph​

South Sydney have accused the NSW Rugby League of lacking “common sense, consistency or cultural awareness” after their bid to have centre Jacob Gagai cleared to play in Las Vegas was rejected by the state body.

The Rabbitohs initially applied to the NRL to have Gagai – the younger brother of Newcastle and Queensland centre Dane Gagai – cleared for Vegas, hoping that his selection in the Maori All Stars would count against a one-match suspension he received at the end of last year playing for the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup side.

However, the matter was referred to the NSWRL given the suspension was meted out by their judiciary. After withdrawing Gagai from the All Stars game because they understood he was suspended, Souths were stunned when NSWRL judiciary chairman Bob Abood decided the All Stars game did not count.

As a result, Gagai will serve his ban in the opening round of the NRL, depriving him of the chance to make his long-awaited first grade debut in the opening match of the historic Las Vegas double header.

“The decision lacks any common sense, consistency or cultural awareness,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said.

“It is extremely frustrating for the club but it is devastating for Jacob. He is a player whop has spent 20 years working his backside off to get an opportunity like this, either in All Stars or an NRL debut – and he is denied it by a decision that can only be described as absurd.

“He is devastated as he should be. The decision makers in this case have had no regard for the player.

“Also we are a club that has whole heartedly supported the All Stars concept since its inception, we know the importance that the game has for anyone selected in it be Indigenous or Māori side, and for the NSWRL to take this sort of attitude to it is mind blowing.

The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast

“The NSWRL relies on their goodwill of clubs to support its team in the State of Origin series and the importance it places upon that, but it doesn’t seem to care at all about the All Stars concept.”

This masthead understands that Souths spoke to NSWRL chair Paul Condon and chief executive David Trodden about the situation. Souths head of football Mark Ellison also sent a letter to Abood detailing the importance of the game to Gagai given the opportunity to play alongside his brother and the chance to represent his mother’s heritage.

It is understood Abood informed Souths he could see no basis for allowing the All Stars game to be counted in Gagai’s suspension, bizarrely because he was named in the Māori side after he received his ban.

The decision flies in the face of previous calls involving some of Gagai’s high-profile teammates. Souths centre Jack Wighton was allowed to count the All Stars game as part of a suspension he incurred at the end of last season.

Likewise, Latrell Mitchell had the All Stars counted as part of a suspension he received in the latter stages of the 2021 season.
 
callmack1

callmack1

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From the Daily Telegraph,

Cody Walker’s path to the Las Vegas season-opener has been mapped out – but the Rabbitohs have also identified a replacement if the five-eighth fails to get up.

Cody Walker is poised to jump his first hurdle in his pursuit to feature in the Rabbitohs’ opening round clash in Las Vegas.

South Sydney’s star five-eighth has been battling a calf strain that has placed a cloud over his readiness for the historic season launch against the Sea Eagles in Sin City on March 3.

Walker had been due to captain the Indigenous side in last Friday night’s All Stars clash but withdrew after tweaking his calf at training.

The outstanding playmaker will commence his first test at a light training session at the Rabbitohs’ training base at the University of California San Diego on Thursday.

Walker was spotted walking freely and without the aid of a compression garment inside the Rabbitohs team hotel on Wednesday.

An optimistic Jason Demetriou has revealed the boxes that Walker must tick in order to lead the Rabbitohs attack.

“He’s a big chance,’’ the Rabbitohs coach said. “The way the physios have got him structured, he’ll do his rehabilitation running on Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

“If he passes all that, then he will join the rest of the team for the week starting Monday.

“It was a really low grade (strain), he’s feeling great, which is always a good sign.

“We had a couple of calf injuries last year and our physio team did a great job in not only getting players back, but getting players back stronger and fitter, so he’ll be in that boat.

“There’ll be no stone left unturned, that’s for sure.’’

Demetriou added that if Walker was unable to prove his fitness, rising star Dean Hawkins would be the most likely replacement.

“Dean will be better for the hitout, I thought he was good in the Charity Shield,’’ Demetriou said.

“One of the big things we’ve identified is a next man up mentality. Whoever puts the jersey on, has a role to play that suits the team.’’
 
callmack1

callmack1

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From the Sydney Morning Herald,

Walker races the clock

Cody Walker says he won’t risk a long-term injury by playing in next week’s season-opener underdone, but remains hopeful his calf injury will recover in time for the match against the Sea Eagles.

Walker, who trained on his own during the team’s first hit-out in San Diego on Wednesday, suffered the injury a fortnight ago and was forced to withdraw from the All Stars game. It’s the second time in the past few months he’s picked up a calf injury.

“I actually did my calf before Christmas and my first run back yesterday felt a lot better than it did back then when I started running again,” Walker said.

“I’ve still got a fair few hoops to jump through over the next couple of days. I’m positive. It felt good yesterday.

“But I think you have to put things into perspective, though. It’s a long season and these sorts of things you don’t want to be risking in round one because it could turn into a 10-weeker.”
 
callmack1

callmack1

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From the Daily Telegraph,

NRL in Las Vegas 2024: South Sydney Rabbitohs injury latest, Campbell Graham return date | Daily Telegraph​

Jason Demetriou has offered a timeline on the return of gun South Sydney centre Campbell Graham, while revealing why he will resist going to the open market to cover his current dearth of outside backs.

The Rabbitohs will be without centre Jack Wighton (suspension), rookie flyer Tyrone Munro (ankle) and Graham for the club’s Las Vegas kick-off against the Sea Eagles on Sunday.

In a dream scenario, rookie winger Jacob Gagai is pushing to make his NRL debut on the game’s biggest stage.

However, Gagai’s elevation also highlights the Rabbitohs’ skinny stocks of NRL experienced outside backs.

Wanting a fast start to the season, the premiership contenders could easily make a case for making a quick-buy to replenish their stocks.

However, Demetriou rattled off the players he believes can do a job in the absence of, in particular, Wighton and Graham.

“It’s no secret we’re probably running thin at the moment,’’ Demetriou said.

“But we’ve got Taane Milne, Richie Kennar and Jacob Gagai, who I’m excited about.

“The problem is when you go to the open market, you’ve generally got to bring people in for two or three year contracts. It’s very hard to get a player of the quality you want for 10 weeks or half a season.

“So we’ll back the talent that is coming through and I’m more than happy to back them.

“I’m hopeful that Campbell will come back at some stage during the second half of the season and be bigger and stronger for it.

“From round three Jack will be back, which will make a big difference as well.

“And I think by round five Tyrone Munro will be back.’’

Demetriou offered his most detailed explanation of why Graham will miss a large portion of the season to sternum surgery.

Campbell Graham will not be playing in Vegas. Picture: Grant Trouville


“The pain he was playing with was extraordinary,’’ Demetriou said.

“Like any bone injury you want to see it heal.

“The specialists wanted to see if they could use an infusion injection to promote healing and the only way you can see that is to give it eight to 10 weeks, to see what difference it makes.

“And it had made a difference.

“Stretch” (Campbell) was training much better than what he was at the back-end of last season.

“But the reality was, we had to make a decision as to whether he could get through a season and be in a better head space physically and mentally than what he was last year.

“The answer was probably, no.

“His job requires him to be physical and it’s probably a good reflection of what these players go through.

“The decision they have to make to get themselves on the field.

“I’m happy that Campbell is going to be back being the Campbell that we know and love.

“Like I said to him when we made this decision, that’s not going to happen again. I’m not prepared to let that happen again.

“The easy thing for me to do was to pad him up and get him back out there, it’s not in the best interests of Campbell or the team long-term.

“I know he’ll rip into his rehab and be every chance to be back around that back-end of the year.’’
 
callmack1

callmack1

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Just goes to show you that I guess we were all a bit overreactive towards the medical staff when the news about Stretch first hit. I'm sure they did absolutely everything they could and at the end of the day, it is what it is.

This is the best decision for both Campbell, and the club now for sure.
 
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Nafedogg

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Wow, not the first time Jai is injured from a shit play, the hip drop in his ankle and now a shoulder charge into his shoulder. Glory glory to a crap 24 haha
 
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southsydneyrabbitohs

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Hi all we gotta do is find a real #7 and a real 1st grade coach + a true enforcer and then go out and find another 1st grade centre by mid year to replace Campbell graham, and yes I meant a fair dinkum 1st grade centre. and while we are at it we should go buy a goal kicker oh that's right we had one and let him go we got ilias who is a non goal kicker and scores no points.and while we are at it lets find a real recruitment officer who can recruit properly like the rorters or bellamy or bennett does becoz our recruitment officer at souths has failed us all dismally concerned rabbitoh.
 
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southsydneyrabbitohs

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Next we will be buying jaxson paulo back hey thats not out of the question after his contract finishes at manly our recruitment over the years defies belief nothing would faze me who we may recruit next do what the rorters do buy the best if they don't perform spit them out a year later like they did with flannagan its the rorters way to success.this year will be the rorters versus who? Any suggestions on who? Will be? Donkeys,flippers, purple puke,warriors, Penrith and hopefully us if wighton is #6 and cody plays #7 then we are a chance.
 
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southsydneyrabbitohs

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Bring shane richardson back we need a real ceo/administrator at the helm at least richo targeted the best players unlike silly solly does and our dud recruitment officer.Sam burgess had dominic young basically signed but dudmetriou + co said NO how dumb + addo carr wanted to come back to play at souths and souths said NO again how laughable is this?
 
B

BotanyBorn&Bred

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southsydneyrabbitohs said:
Bring shane richardson back we need a real ceo/administrator at the helm at least richo targeted the best players unlike silly solly does and our dud recruitment officer.Sam burgess had dominic young basically signed but dudmetriou + co said NO how dumb + addo carr wanted to come back to play at souths and souths said NO again how laughable is this?
Click to expand...
Bennett said no to JAC.
Blows a big hole in your theory eh?
 
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