Inglis gets backing at fullback
RUGBY LEAGUE: This might not go down well with South Sydney’s under-pressure fullback Alex Johnston.
But Queensland legends Mal Meninga and Justin Hodges have backed the call for Greg Inglis to make a return to the No. 1 jumper in 2019.
And in a further blow to Johnston’s hopes of keeping hold of the spot he owned this year, Hodges also says new Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett should maximise Inglis’ impact by allowing him to share the role with rookie recruit Corey Allan.
Bennett will hit the ground running today when he arrives for his first day of work at Redfern and high on the agenda will be making a decision on where Inglis, Johnston and Allan best fit into his plans going forward.
Johnston has made it known he wants to stay playing fullback and if not he might look elsewhere.
But Hodges reckons if Inglis wants the fullback job, the decision for Bennett is a no-brainer.
“Look, we have all seen what GI does in the centres, he is unbelievable,” Hodges said.
“But I honestly still think his best position is fullback, especially in attack.
“If I am in the line defending, I am more worried about GI than Alex Johnston.
“And that is no disrespect to Alex.
“That is just the impact GI creates.”
Meninga added: “Greg will play what’s best for the team.
“But if Wayne has asked him to play fullback, well, that’s where he will be playing because it is probably his best position if he can get the kilometres out.”
That extra workload is the obvious concern, especially taking into account Inglis turns 32 in January.