Seibold fires shot at Souths
The fuse has been lit for next week’s historic season-opener, with Manly coach Anthony Seibold calling out the Rabbitohs for failing to promote the game in Las Vegas by basing themselves in San Diego.
Manly is the only team to be based in Vegas for the doubleheader, with the other three clubs setting up camp in California before they arrive in Sin City for the matches at Allegiant Stadium.
Seibold had a crack at South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou, who quipped that he’d put some money behind the bar for Sea Eagles players to enjoy themselves before the game. Seibold used to coach the Rabbitohs and famously had some words in the media with Demetriou when he moved to Brisbane.
“It would be nice if the Bunnies came and promoted the game in Las Vegas,” Seibold said at Sydney Airport before flying out to the US via Fiji. “One of the reasons we’re going there 11 days beforehand is to promote the game.
“The NRL have wanted to take the game to Las Vegas so we’re doing our job. All our training sessions are open sessions so supporters and the media are more than welcome to come to all of our sessions.
“We’ve got a lot of corporates and members and supporters coming across, so we want to do the right thing by the game. I’m not concerned about other clubs.
“Every team has their own way to prepare, but we feel obligated and obliged to promote the game in Las Vegas.”
Cody Walker is poised to jump his first hurdle in his pursuit to feature in Souths’ opening round clash in Las Vegas.
The Rabbitohs’ star fiveeighth has been battling a calf strain that has placed a cloud over his readiness for the historic season launch against Manly in Sin City on March 3.
Walker had been due to captain the Indigenous side in last Friday night’s All Stars clash but withdrew after tweaking his calf at training.
The outstanding playmaker will commence his first test at a light training session at the club’s training base of the
University of California San Diego on Thursday. Walker was spotted walking freely and without a compression garment inside the team hotel on Wednesday.
An optimistic Jason Demetriou has revealed the boxes that Walker must tick in order to lead Souths’ attack.
“He’s a big chance,’’ the Rabbitohs coach said.
“The way the physios have got him structured, he’ll do his rehabilitation running on Thursday, Saturday and Monday.
“If he passes all that, then he will join the rest of the team for the week starting Monday.
“It was a really low-grade (strain), he’s feeling great, which is always a good sign.
“There’ll be no stone left unturned, that’s for sure.’’
Demetriou added that if Walker was unable to prove his fitness, rising star Dean Hawkins would be the most likely replacement.