Latest news with #LewisDodd
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘We'll lose the fans': Bennett's solution to Origin debate as UK recruit prepares for $2m acid test
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has weighed in on proposed changes to State of Origin eligibility while also calling for calm as English recruit Lewis Dodd prepares to make his first start at halfback after a rough first year in Australia. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > Dodd was signed for three years on a lucrative deal but has played just four games off the bench this season despite the Rabbitohs going through a horror injury run in 2025. He'll finally start in the No.7 jersey against the Sharks with Jamie Humphreys in concussion protocols, with Bennett refusing to make any comments about Dodd's future before he sees how he performs. 'We're all going to be a lot smarter after tomorrow night, so let's wait until tomorrow night and answer some questions then,' he said, with suggestions the club could try to move him on at the end of the year. 'He's been good since he's been here. He's trained well, is well-mannered and has been highly respectful of the other players and his teammates. Nothing has changed for him. 'It could be a big month for him.' While Bennett didn't want to comment on Dodd's future, he was strong on Origin eligibility rules after it emerged that the Australian Rugby League Commission was considering making changes to stop players from having to choose between the Blues or Maroons and international sides England and New Zealand. As it stands, Origin stars like Stephen Crichton, Payne Haas and Jarome Luai can represent the Blues and then play for Samoa at the end of the year because of their tier 2 status. That loophole isn't available to guys like Victor Radley, who chose England over NSW, while there have been plenty of Kiwis who have been blocked from representing their state, while others have chosen to represent Tonga or Samoa so they can also play Origin. Bennett, who was in the mix to coach Australia in this year's Ashes series, has no issue with guys playing both formats but wants players to pick a country and stick with that choice for the rest of their careers. 'I don't believe they're going to play with the rules of Origin itself, and that's really important because the minute the fans realise it's not the genuine Queensland v NSW that it is, then we'll lose the fans,' Bennett warned. 'That's the great thing about it, the rivalry is real and it's not false, so we need to maintain that. 'The off side of that is players leaving that arena to then go and play for Tonga, Samoa, England, whatever. 'I'm happy for them to do that, but they can't do it as they're doing at the moment where you play for Tonga because they're second tier. If you play for England, it's first tier, so you can't swap nations. 'My point with it is that Origin eligibility won't change, and after that if you want to play for England and you qualify for England, then you do that. 'I'm happy for that because it makes the international game stronger, but I just don't want to see them playing for England and then coming back to play for Tonga because they're a second-tier nation. 'It's served its purpose and it's time to move on from that situation.' Fans would have loved to have seen Kiwis legend Benji Marshall play Origin, but he still wouldn't have been eligible even under the proposed changes given he moved to Australia after his 13th birthday. Regardless, he said he was never jealous given he's proud of his heritage. 'I always found it to be an Australian thing,' the Wests Tigers coach said. 'I just thought it was respectful to what it was that players from Australia played in that. 'We were always fans growing up in New Zealand. There was NSW and Queensland, but there was no wanting to play for them. I always wanted to play for New Zealand.'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rabbitohs' ‘$2 million mistake' exposes the NRL club's major recruitment issue
The Rabbitohs' signing of Lewis Dodd has been labelled a '$2 million mistake' as he prepares to start at halfback for the first time in the NRL. Dodd was named in the No. 7 jersey for South Sydney's clash with the Sharks on Saturday night. In his four previous NRL games this season, Dodd came off the bench in three games and started at five-eighth in the other. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Even with his hefty $650,000 salary, Dodd has been regularly overlooked for selection by coach Wayne Bennett, even amid an injury crisis at the club in 2025. NRL 360 co-host Dan Ginnane wondered whether Dodd had been signed by the Rabbitohs solely because he kicked the match-winning field goal for St Helens in the World Club Challenge back in 2023, when they prevailed 13-12 over Penrith. The 23-year-old Dodd is contracted with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2027 season on a three-year deal. 'Is there a chance that Souths pushed the button when he kicked that field goal in the World Club Challenge, which is really, let's be honest, in our part of the world, it's a glorified exhibition game?' Ginnane asked. 'He kicks a field goal, they win 13-12, is that a $2 million field goal that he kicked?' Panellist Andrew Webster agreed the Dodd signing was a mysterious one. 'It is one of the more bizarre recruitments, really,' Webster added. 'I've heard from people both in the UK and other recruiters here in the NRL that they were surprised that Souths signed him and threw that amount of money at him. 'Look, it's a $2 million mistake. 'I've heard of other Super League clubs being interested in getting him but they want to be offering some pretty heavy coin for Lewis Dodd to want to move away from the $700,000 a year contract he's on.' Host Braith Anasta said the Rabbitohs' recruitment has left a lot to be desired. 'I really think they've got to change a lot about their recruitment, Souths,' Anasta said. 'I think they've got to take a different direction, moving forward. I say this because, you look at their NSW Cup team, they're coming last, their Jersey Flegg second last, their junior competition is nowhere near where it used to be.' Webster believes South Sydney need to add to their stocks in the forwards. 'They need some middle forwards. That's what they've been missing all year. Through injury and form, they haven't had that at all this year, and where they are on the ladder reflects it,' Webster added. Ginnane pointed out that Latrell Mitchell has missed a lot of games for the Rabbitohs since joining the club. 'Latrell plays 14 games a year. It's fact. He's played 85 games in six years at Souths, so he's going to miss 10 games,' Ginnane added. The Rabbitohs are currently missing a staggering number of players, worth over $6 million, in an injury crisis. Mitchell ($1.1 million), Cameron Murray ($1 million), Keaon Koloamatangi ($650,000), Campbell Graham ($650,000), Cody Walker ($600,000), Brandon Smith ($550,000), Davvy Moale ($500,000), Peter Mamouzelos ($300,000), Jamie Humphreys ($250,000), Jayden Sullivan ($200,000), Mikaele Ravalawa ($165,000) and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape ($120,000) are all currently sidelined.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Souths cop massive new blow as grim news confirmed for Cody Walker's replacement
Souths coach Wayne Bennett may have to turn to English import Lewis Dodd to solve his halves crisis after fresh injuries for veteran Cody Walker and his likely replacement, Jayden Sullivan. The Rabbitohs were dealt a couple of massive new setbacks in a season that has already been cruelled by injuries to key players, with Walker suffering a fresh hamstring complaint in Saturday's loss to the Dolphins and Sullivan stretchered off while playing in the NSW Cup over the weekend. Walker has been plagued by injuries this season and had only just returned from a groin issue he picked up in the round 14 loss to the Raiders. But things went from bad to worse for the 35-year-old in Saturday night's 50-28 flogging by the Dolphins after he picked up a new hamstring injury while setting up a try for Tallis Duncan. The veteran playmaker tried to play on but eventually had to come from the field. The Rabbitohs star will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury and how long he'll be sidelined for but it's another concerning development for the veteran. Walker also missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury, before spending another five games on the sidelines after tearing his calf, only to pick up the groin injury against the Raiders. Souths were reportedly close to extending Walker for one more season before his latest injury setback, but with the club legend's body continuing to fail him, it remains to be seen whether that will be the case. And Souths' injury crisis has worsened with the news Sullivan has been ruled out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in the reserve grade clash against the Newtown Jets over the weekend. Sullivan would almost certainly have come into the Rabbitohs squad as Walker's replacement for Sunday's game against Manly. But he's now heading to hospital on Monday and will have to undergo surgery, leaving Bennett with yet another headache to try and solve at Souths. 🐰 INJURY WATCH: Jayden Sullivan had to be stretchered from the field in the NSW Cup. Looks like an ankle or leg injury @zerotackle — Ethan Lee Chalk (@EthanLeeChalk) June 29, 2025 Souths have lost halfback Jayden Sullivan for the remainder of the season after he suffered a broken leg in reserve grade over the MAIL 👉 — SuperCoach NRL (@SuperCoachNRL) June 29, 2025 With Walker and Sullivan both set to miss Sunday's away game against the Sea Eagles, Bennett may have few other options but to include Dodd, having consistently overlooked the English import this season. Dodd was signed last year before Bennett's return as coach was confirmed, and is on a deal worth around $650,000 per season. However, the Englishman's opportunities in the NRL have been few and far between, with Bennett preferring fellow recruit Jamie Humphreys and Walker as his first-choice halves. Sullivan has done a solid job filling in at No.6 for Walker when the veteran has been sidelined, with Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell even spending some time in the playmaking roles in the midst of the club's injury crisis. RELATED: Cobbo in major Broncos twist as Walsh handed QLD role for Origin 3 Sydney Roosters lose promising young halfback to Bulldogs Jeff Fenech speaks out amid daughter's big news with NRL star With Mitchell set to miss Sunday's game on Origin duty with the Blues though, Bennett could decide to turn to Wighton to fill the No.6 role, in what would be another blow to Dodd. It would mean a further reshuffle for the Rabbitohs' backline, with Isaiah Tass likely to earn a recall in the centres and Jye Gray to get another crack in the No.1 jersey, where he's impressed in the absence of Mitchell earlier this season.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
NRL Magic Round 2025 LIVE: Knights out to snap five-game losing streak against depleted Bunnies
Loading Posts area Go to latest Pinned post from 2.22pm Who wins the first of three games? Latest posts 2.36pm Knights team list: no changes No changes for Adam O'Brien's Knights, who are desperate to snap a five-game losing streak. 1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. James Schiller, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Phoenix Crossland, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Dylan Lucas, 12. Kai Pearce Paul, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Jayden Brailey, 15. Mat Croker, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Brodie Jones 2.27pm Rabbitohs team list: Dodd makes debut in the halves Finally, English import Lewis Dodd gets his chance to start in the halves. With injuries to Jamie Humphreys, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker and a suspension for Latrell Mitchell, Dodd finally gets to start at five-eighth for the Rabbitohs. 1. Jye Gray, 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hope, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Isaiah Tass, 19. Lewis Dodd, 7. Jayden Sullivan, 8. Sean Keppie, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Tevita Tatola (c), 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Tallis Duncan, 13. Jai Arrow, 14. Liam Le Blanc, 15. Lachlan Hubner, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Fletcher Myers 2.22pm Who wins the first of three games?
The Age
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
NRL Magic Round 2025 LIVE: Rabbitohs v Knights, Tigers v Dragons
Loading Go to latest Pinned post from 2.22pm Who wins the first of three games? 2.27pm Rabbitohs team list: Dodd makes debut in the halves Finally, English import Lewis Dodd gets his chance to start in the halves. With injuries to Jamie Humphreys, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker and a suspension for Latrell Mitchell, Dodd finally gets to start at five-eighth for the Rabbitohs. 1. Jye Gray, 2. Bayleigh Bentley-Hope, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Isaiah Tass, 19. Lewis Dodd, 7. Jayden Sullivan, 8. Sean Keppie, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Tevita Tatola (c), 11. Keaon Koloamatangi, 12. Tallis Duncan, 13. Jai Arrow, 14. Liam Le Blanc, 15. Lachlan Hubner, 16. Davvy Moale, 17. Fletcher Myers 2.22pm Who wins the first of three games? 2.13pm Welcome Here we go again my friends. If you think the election is the most magical thing to happen today, you would be wrong, it's the triple header at Suncorp Stadium for day two of magic round. Billie Eder here to take you through the action today, with Christian Nicolussi also on the ground to provide expert insight. First up is the Rabbitohs and Knights from 3pm, before Warriors and Cowboys play at 5:30pm, followed by Tigers and Dragons to close out the night at 7:45pm.
