Bunnies pull switch on Inglis

Greg Inglis is heading back to the centres. That’s the word from Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess as anticipation builds towards Inglis’s return from the ACL injury that ended his 2017 season after just 40 minutes.

Burgess said fans can expect to see Inglis form a powerful centre pairing with new recruit Dane Gagai in 2018.

Unlikely to play in Sunday’s Charity Shield clash with St George Illawarra in Mudgee, Inglis has started in the centres for South Sydney just twice since shifting to fullback in round three, 2012 but Burgess believes at this stage of his career it will allow the 31-year-old to be most effective.

“I think initially in the centres and he’s been training great there,” Burgess said when asked where fans could expect to see Inglis playing upon his return.

“He’s been running a bit at fullback as well but I think with Greg probably the load at centre is a little bit less than fullback.

“That might work best for him and the team.”

After starting his career on the wing at the Melbourne Storm Inglis switched to the centres in 2006 and had an incredible impact on the Origin arena, scoring 12 tries for the Maroons in 24 appearances in the centres.

A move back to the centres would see Alex Johnston inherit the No.1 jersey that he wore last weekend in the clash with Super League club Wigan but for Burgess the prospect of having Inglis back on the park is exciting in itself.

“It’s just good to see him back on the field anywhere,” Burgess said.

“You could play him front row and he’d still do a great job.

“I can’t wait to get back out there and play with him but in the same sentence I don’t want to put any pressure on him.

“When Greg’s ready and he feels good enough then we’ll give him a shot.”

It was a youthful Rabbitohs team that accounted for Wigan 18-8 last weekend but Burgess expects coach Anthony Seibold to roll out a near full-strength in the traditional pre-season clash with the Dragons in Mudgee.