NSW hooker Damien Cook is expected to be relegated to the bench as the Rabbitohs attempt to avoid a 0-3 start to the season against their arch-rivals.
Under-pressure South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou is expected to make another bombshell selection call, dropping representative hooker Damien Cook to the bench for the blockbuster against the Roosters.
Having already axed halfback Lachlan Ilias after just two games, Demetriou is considering demoting Cook to the bench in a bid to spark a side attempting to avert a 0-3 start to the season. Siliva Havili is likely to start the game at dummy-half, with Cook forced to wait and provide spark off the interchange bench.It would be a bold and controversial call from Demetriou, who finds himself under pressure after the Rabbitohs have won only four of their past 15 games.
Cook is the incumbent NSW No.9, having started for the Blues in their 24-10 victory over Queensland in the final State of Origin game last year. However, he will likely have to bide his time on the interchange bench in what will be former Raider Jack Wighton’s first game for the club.Cook’s output in the opening two games has been a combined 81 tackles , 98 running metres, one try assist, one line-break assist and 200 receipts.
As well as Havili on the books, the club also has a promising young rake in Peter Mamouzelos, considered Cook’s long-term successor, contracted until the end of 2027. Mamouzelos, who has made seven NRL appearances, was named in the reserves in jersey No.21. Dean Hawkins, named as Ilias’ replacement, will play just his seventh NRL game against a Roosters side missing Luke Keary, who is again sidelined with concussion.
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