Rabbitohs Rumors, Signings and News

[handyman2190]

Yes Sutto did that. I still won't condemn Reyno for doing what he felt he had to do. Like I said he more than earned the right to ask the club to look after him.

For everyones information, reyno had all intentions of eventually moving to qld, he took the oportunity of moving earlier to establish himself and set himself up, he really didnt put up much of a case or fight to stay,especially when offered the deal at broncos,he grabbed it because thats what he wanted, he could have stayed on 1 year deals, he was also not instilling much confidence because he kept crying injury and limited training, zo it instilled the idea he could not play for long and the club was scared they would cop another medical retirement, so he wasnt fussed to leave, thats why the club didnt push to keep him,it was just time.

 

[Det.Wojciehowicz]

That may be so Handy but why did he want us to extend his extension by another year? If he wanted to go to Qld then he would have just happily taken the deal we offered. I think the true story of this is yet to come out.

 

[BradS]

He was offered 2 years so why did he not take it?

The 2 years was pending he did not get injured

He was once a Rabbitoh but now no longer.

 

[speedster]

SMITH DEAL SET TO BE SEALED... AND COULD COME EARLY

The deal for Kiwi Test hooker Brandon Smith to switch from the Sydney Roosters to 1908 foundation rivals South Sydney is in the closing stages with the Rabbitohs set to check the medical records of the premiership-winning forward.

The Bunnies intend to offer Smith a two-year deal for 2026 and 2027 worth around the $1.1 million mark.

This is where it gets interesting. Souths can only afford to pay Smith around the $150,000 mark for this year meaning the ball will be in the Roosters court if they’re prepared to let Smith leave the Tricolours early.

The Roosters have always been staunch about refusing to chip in a cent if it means a player going to arch-rivals South Sydney but given the way the Smith signing has gone for the club there’s a view they could soften their stance.


Smith is currently sidelined recovering from ACL and MCL surgery with all reports suggesting his rehab is tracking strongly.

The Smith deal for 2026 and 2027 at the Rabbitohs is expected to be finalised in the next fortnight.

Then it will be over the Roosters to see if they’re willing to negotiate an early exit.

Supercoach Wayne Bennett and Smith have been talking and given Bennett’s record with players who have hit a career hurdle the deal makes sense.

At around $550,000-a-season it could prove an astute signing for Souths.

 

[Eric the great]

Hope we get a front rower and a couple of extra wingers for coming seasons as well

 

[speedster]

Rather than pay Smith's freight if he plays for Souths at the back end of this season, the Roosters could offer Smith a severance (good show) package to just end his contract early and just pay him out whatever they agree is an acceptable amount of his remaining salary early - maybe 3/4s of his annual salary?. Then he can come across and also accept the $150k out of our 2025 cap.

There are means and ways. In the end, it's nothing personal, it's just business eh Uncle Nick?

 

[speedster]

I wonder if Wayne will look to try to help Smith to modify his game a bit now he's a bit older so he paces himself more and is less hectic which will then allow him to play longer minutes? Previously, he has gone at 100 mph for about 40 minutes and been very effective at least at Melbourne playing that go hard role in tandem with Harry Grant. But there's no reason he can't scale it back and be more of a 65 minute guy - if not 80.

Bit like how Dennis Lillee changed his game when he got a bit older and lost some pace and ended up being even more deadly swinging and seaming the ball both ways.

Smith is determined to play hooker, not lock and we need an A-list hooker whereas we are not short on locks that's for sure. Wayne is great at value adding players ability to become more versatile but in Smith's case, it ought to be helping him to play longer minutes I reckon.

 

[speedster]

So ravalawa deal will be a loan signing for the 2025 season before he returns to the dragons.
Same as Bud Sullivan

Not a bad bit of business to have him now when we need him but otherwise not tie up our 2026 salary cap unnecessarily.

 

[speedster]

Just looking at our current off contract players -

Players not signed beyond 2025 (13) are:

Johnston
Lovett
Walker
Moale
Myers
Mellars
Host
Sullivan*
Schuster
Le Blanc
S.Mitchell
Havili
Ravalawa*

Players not signed beyond 2026 (6 free to negotiate for 2027 onwards as of Nov 1 2025) are:

Humphreys
Gray
Koloamatangi
Hubner
McCarthy
Keppie

 

[speedster]

Personally, I want to see AJ, Cody, Moale, Humphreys, Gray & Keaon absolutely re-signed and locked up while guys like Havili, Hubbie and Keppie should also be re-signed providing they continue to impress in the first half of this year.

Others? Knock the door down and earn your next contract guys.

 

[handyman2190]

Lovett,host,sullivan,shuster,s mitchell should be shown the door.
Lovett hasnt played for nearly 2 seasons,sulli we have jye and dont need him,shuster is a plain waste, and mitchell ....well he struts around the field but feins injury,was good enough for the all stars,and now does nothing, a complete waste, and this is why our depth is crap,we are carrying players that dont want to play

 

[speedster]

‘We’re all noticing’: Schuster nearing NRL return as teammate sheds light on Bennett influence

‘We’re all noticing’: Schuster nearing NRL return as teammate sheds light on Bennett influence

www.foxsports.com.au

Forgotten Rabbitoh Josh Schuster is reportedly close to returning to NRL action, with teammates lauding the attitude of the much-maligned talent.

Schuster, who hasn’t played first grade since August 2023, has been recovering from a calf injury but according toCode Sports, he could be 4-6 weeks away from a return and a possible Rabbitohs debut.

After struggling to maintain any consistency at the Sea Eagles, Manly released him in April of last year which shrouded his rugby league future in doubt.

Schuster waited several months before another opportunity, with Souths signing the 23-year-old in September.

New coach Wayne Bennett wants nothing more than to see Schuster overcome adversity and succeed.

Bennett has reportedly had several one-on-ones with Schuster in an attempt to help him rediscover his passion for the game.

Souths captain Cam Murray has been impressed with Schuster’s application since joining the club and believes Bennett is the “right coach to unlock his potential”.

“The calf injury he picked up is unfortunate but he’s at a really good club. We pride ourselves with embracing everyone and empowering them to be the best version of themselves and be comfortable to be true to who they are,” Murray told Code Sports.

“He turns up every day, he sits on the assault bike and the watt bike and does all his rehab specific training.

“None of it looks like a lot of fun to be honest but he has turned up and done it without complaining.

“He’s proven to everyone around him that he is ripping in and that he wants to show everyone that he can train hard.

“He’s a competitor, regardless of the type of training he is doing. We can all see he’s putting in the work. We are all noticing it.”

 

[speedster]

They're trying their best to motivate him and keep his chin up, this time through the media. Still 4-6 weeks away. Must have been a high grade calf tear. We'll see if they can get his body and his head right.

We'll have a fair team down the track when all our big guns (sans Murray until maybe the final rounds and into the finals hopefully) return and if Schuster can also get back to his best.

 

[speedster]

Lovett,host,sullivan,shuster,s mitchell should be shown the door.
Lovett hasnt played for nearly 2 seasons,sulli we have jye and dont need him,shuster is a plain waste, and mitchell ....well he struts around the field but feins injury,was good enough for the all stars,and now does nothing, a complete waste, and this is why our depth is crap,we are carrying players that dont want to play

Lovett will finally make his comeback in Cup and it's been a long, long road for him. Let's give him a fair go to see that he can still be a player. Maybe he gets offered a 2nd tier contract or tries his luck elsewhere. Host - bye bye. The others have the opportunity to get on the park and make Wayne want to keep them. Simple as that.

 

[speedster]

How two NRL legends sparked Josh Schuster's return to NRL

Schuster made his way to Souths after a disappointing stint in Manly.

www.zerotackle.com

Bennett is known for reigniting careers, bringing the best out of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Darius Boyd, and Latrell Mitchell.

However, the Rabbitohs coach isn't the only NRL figure invested in Schuster's return. Brad Fittler has also inserted himself in the occasion, looking to elevate the young forward to his potential.

Last Friday night, Fittler met with Schuster after the Rabbitohs' win, giving the former Eagle a pep talk.

He admitted that he wants to see Schuster become the star he was projected to be, backing him to get the job done once he makes his return to footy.

While there have been whispers around Schuster's uncertainty regarding his playing future and passion for the sport, after receiving support from two of the most impactful figures in the game, it seems Schuster is keen to make his return to the NRL in the next month.

 

[Eric the great]

How two NRL legends sparked Josh Schuster's return to NRL

Schuster made his way to Souths after a disappointing stint in Manly.

www.zerotackle.com

Bennett is known for reigniting careers, bringing the best out of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Darius Boyd, and Latrell Mitchell.

However, the Rabbitohs coach isn't the only NRL figure invested in Schuster's return. Brad Fittler has also inserted himself in the occasion, looking to elevate the young forward to his potential.

Last Friday night, Fittler met with Schuster after the Rabbitohs' win, giving the former Eagle a pep talk.

He admitted that he wants to see Schuster become the star he was projected to be, backing him to get the job done once he makes his return to footy.

While there have been whispers around Schuster's uncertainty regarding his playing future and passion for the sport, after receiving support from two of the most impactful figures in the game, it seems Schuster is keen to make his return to the NRL in the next month.

A keen schuster is a good schuster

 

[handyman2190]

Sloan is off contract end this year,we should sign him, he can play wing or FB, jye can take codys spot

 

[speedster]

Sloan is off contract end this year,we should sign him, he can play wing or FB, jye can take codys spot

We can try. He is close with Latrell but I think he would want the fullback's job. Gray will still play 14 no matter who esle is in the team.

 

[speedster]

“I’d love to see him at South Sydney, so hopefully we can get to the negotiating table and get a deal,” added Bennett.

“He’s just 100 per cent. Like Cam Murray and those players, they just give their absolute best every time they get on the footy field.

“They don’t always get it right, but you know that the one thing they’re doing is just competing for everything and they’re giving their best for the side.”

Smith, meanwhile, said the Rabbitohs were his “favourite team as a kid” and that Issac Luke was his “favourite player”. His playing strip as a junior was red and green too.


“The whole relocating thing. Souths would be perfect because it is so close by to where I am staying at the moment,” Smith added.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

“I’d love to see him at South Sydney, so hopefully we can get to the negotiating table and get a deal,” added Bennett.

“He’s just 100 per cent. Like Cam Murray and those players, they just give their absolute best every time they get on the footy field.

“They don’t always get it right, but you know that the one thing they’re doing is just competing for everything and they’re giving their best for the side.”

Smith, meanwhile, said the Rabbitohs were his “favourite team as a kid” and that Issac Luke was his “favourite player”. His playing strip as a junior was red and green too.


“The whole relocating thing. Souths would be perfect because it is so close by to where I am staying at the moment,” Smith added.

Lol what a coincidence his favourite team was Souths.
Anyway, I'll take it, and him, if he recovers well from his injury