Souths look sharp as Inglis returns at last

Greg Inglis is back but are South Sydney as well?

That’s the question the NRL world is asking after the Rabbitohs talisman made his long-awaited return on Saturday night from a knee injury and battle with mental demons.

Inglis played 19 minutes before being given an early shower in Souths’ 22-18 win over St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield in Mudgee.

Starting at centre, where he is expected to play this year, Inglis made just 29 metres from three runs. But it mattered little as the Rabbitohs skipper took a big leap forward in his recovery.

Inglis had not played since March 3 when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Wests Tigers.

Souths’ 2017 season virtually ended when Inglis limped off early in the second half of their season opener last year.

While it’s difficult to discern too much from trial form, they appeared to have rediscovered their attacking spark under new coach Anthony Seibold.

Hooker Damien Cook, set to start ahead of veteran rake Robbie Farah, was again dynamic and repeatedly created confusion in the Dragons’ defensive line as he jumped out of dummy half. Star recruit Dane Gagai looked sharp, while five-eighth Cody Walker crossed for a sublime fourpointer in the second half running off John Sutton.

The impact of Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco on the Sydney Roosters’ all-star attack will come quicker than expected, according to coach Trent Robinson.

Cronk and Tedesco both starred in their first outing in Roosters colours on Saturday night, guiding them to a 28-26 come-from-behind win over Manly in Gosford.

Cronk was his composed self in his 50-minute showing, with Robinson paying tribute to the way he helped steady the side after they fell behind 16-0 barely even touching the ball.

Tedesco also crossed for two tries alongside centre Latrell Mitchell in the comeback, the second to put the Roosters in the lead after he chipped and chased to put the exclamation mark on a 60-minute effort.

The arrival of the star duo has catapulted the consistent Roosters into premiership favouritism, but it is widely expected the side will take time to gel given fresh faces fill half their attacking spine.

However, that’s not a rhetoric Trent Robinson is buying in to.

“I have heard a lot about combinations this week and how it’s a linear progression based on time, and I don’t believe that,” Robinson said.

“I think you see people who have played for years that don’t have good combinations.

“And then you have guys who work hard enough and train hard enough that get it quickly. That’s what we want to see.” — AAP