INGLIS REQUIRES DOC’S ALL-CLEAR
Sydney star Greg Inglis will have to visit his surgeon next week before being cleared to make his return from a broken thumb just two rounds out from the finals.
Inglis has not been named to take on Brisbane tonight and most believe the secondplaced Rabbitohs are taking a cautious approach with their captain.
But Souths coach Anthony Seibold revealed yesterday that Inglis was yet to be cleared to play after breaking his thumb six-and-a-half weeks ago.
“It’s a tricky one because the surgeon said he couldn’t play, so the decision was taken out of my hands,” Seibold said.
“I think from my understanding there has been a bit of speculation on why we aren’t playing Greg, but the reality is he had his scan last Friday and the surgeon said he’s not clear to play.
“He goes back and has another scan on Monday and fingers crossed there is some improvement there. I’m sure there will be.”
Inglis’s fitness has taken on even more importance with regular fullback Alex Johnston out for the final rounds with a hamstring injury.
Dane Gagai will play in the No.1 jersey for the first time since arriving from Newcastle, while Hymel Hunt, Braidon Burns, Tyrell Fuimaono and Richie Kennar round out a relatively inexperienced backline.
“We trust Gags, he’s played a fair bit of it at Newcastle over a period of time,” Seibold said.
“(The others) don’t have to be Greg Inglis or Dane Gagai. They’ve just got to do their jobs. If the individuals do their job then collectively we’ll get a performance we’re proud of.”