Interim South Sydney coach Ben Hornby has been requested to ship “enchancment” not a finals berth and has dived straight in making modifications to the workforce picked by sacked coach Jason Demetriou.
Amid the fallout from Tuesday’s sensational axing of Demetriou with two years left to run on his contract, and the membership confirming its pursuit of a really Wayne Bennett, Hornby takes the reins for Thursday night time’s conflict with reigning premiers Penrith.
Whereas the Panthers can be with out star halfback Nathan Cleary, an help within the Rabbitohs hopes for a win, Hornby threw the magnets round himself
He ditched Jacob Gagai with Isaiah Tass taking his spot on the wing, whereas transferring Michael Chee Kam into the centres.
Jai Arrow may also begin at prop with Keaon Koloamatangi returning to the second row and Sean Keppie coming onto the bench.
Souths CEO Blake Solly mentioned a late season run to make the top-eight can be good, however Hornby’s goals for the rest of the season had been less complicated.
“There’s two or three actually clear expectations for Ben,” Solly mentioned.
“We need to see enchancment by way of outcomes and performances on the sector.
“We need to give Ben and the teaching employees the time to develop a few of our youthful gamers who we’re beginning to see come by way of.
“Hopefully guys like Jye (Grey), Tyrone (Munro) when he comes again from harm, and Peter (Mamouzelos) can play much more NRL soccer this 12 months.
“We wish Ben and the teaching employees and the gamers to carry themselves and carry themselves in a approach that represents our membership in the absolute best approach.
It’s the first time within the NRL period n interim coach has been however solely three of these caretakers have led their facet to the finals.
“We actually suppose we will make one thing of the season, whether or not or not it ends in a top-eight berth, I’m unsure,” Solly mentioned.
“However I do know the character of this workforce, I do know what they’re like and so they’ll be up for the problem.
“If we will get our gamers again on the sector sooner reasonably than later, I believe most groups can be involved about taking part in us.
“If we will get to the highest eight, that’d be great, however actually it’s about enchancment over the subsequent few weeks.”
INTERIM COACHES WHO LED THEIR SIDE TO THE NRL FINALS:
Cameron Ciraldo – Penrith (sixth place, 2018)
Rick Stone – Newcastle (seventh place, 2009)
Jason Taylor – Parramatta (eighth place, 2006)
