Ben Hornby joked before kick-off that Wayne Bennett had already pinched his job before he had even coached his first game.
South Sydney were thumped 42-12 by premiers Penrith on Thursday night to cap a rollercoaster week.
South Sydney Rabbitohs host Penrith Panthers in Round 9 of the 2024 NRL Premiership at Accor Stadium,Sydney.
In the space of 48 hours,Jason Demetriou was let go as head coach,Hornby was appointed the interim,and Bennett was quickly identified as the man to return to the top job next year.
Hornby was proud of the effort shown by Souths,but it will be a long season if the 80 minutes at an eerily-quiet Accor Stadium was a snapshot of things to come,especially if the injuries continue to mount.
Jye Gray was the victim of as hip-drop tackle and injured his ankle,forcing Damien Cook to move to fullback – and all but confirming Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension next week in the No. 1 jersey.
Dean Hawkins also suffered a quad injury in the kick-off,and did not make it to the half hour.
Damien Cook’s 200th match finished with him slotting into fullbackGetty
Hornby heard from Bennett before the game,and said he would continue to lean on him throughout the season.
“Me and Wayne talk regularly,and I’ll ask for his advice like anyone would,” Hornby said.
“[He told me] to be me. That’s what Wayne says nearly every time. Be you. You can’t try and be someone else. Just be you.
“We tried to keep[this week] as normal as possible. We were excited for the game. We were going up against the premiers. We had a chance to make a statement,and I thought we did that.”
Taylan May celebrates a try.Getty
Skipper Cam Murray said the axing of Demetriuou had been tough,and the commentary hard to ignore because all the players were on social media.
“But at the endof the day we’re footy players,it’s about the men in the change room,and us turning up as a group,and being good teammates,and making good memories out there,and playing for your mates,” Murray said.
“This is what we love to do. What happens on the outside and what we can’t control is irrelevant to us.”
Murray spent three seasons playing under Bennett at Souths,but when asked about his likely return,said:“Wayne or whoever coaches us next year is coaching us next year. We’re worried about next week. Benny is here as our interim coach.”
Souths raced out to a 12-0 lead thanks to a Cody Walker cutout pass and kick. But a wild Walker pass sailed into touch,Penrith went on the attack,Jai Arrow was binned,and Penrith went to the break leading 18-12.
The casualty ward is becoming almost farcical at Souths.
Penrith,on the other hand,had the chance to rest dynamic duo Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards late in the game.
Edwards embarrassed Souths when he took a quick 20m restart while 12 of 13 Souths players were napping,passed to Taylan May who scored a long-range try.
It is frightening the premiers racked up so many points when they barely got out of first gear. And to think they welcome back Nathan Cleary (hamstring) next week.
Coach Ivan Cleary applauded his players for overcoming a five-day turnaround from Townsville where they defeated the Cowboys,but defended for large parts of the game in te heat.