The latest National Rugby League team news has seen a decision made on whether ex-St Helens man Lewis Dodd will finally make his debut for South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Dodd headed Down Under on a reported $650,000 per season deal, over the course of three seasons, however, he is yet to play for his new club.
Signed under the tenure of Jason Demetriou, Dodd would never have a chance to play under the ex-Wakefield Trinity man as he was sacked weeks after the St Helens man’s move was confirmed.
In came supremo Wayne Bennett and so far, the veteran coach has preferred other options, including an ex-Manly junior in Jamie Humphreys, a former reported Super League target Jayden Sullivan, whilst also shifting star man Latrell Mitchell into the halves.
Suspensions and the form of Humphreys had denied Dodd a debut but the one-match ban handed down to Jayden Sullivan last week presented an opportunity for the former St Helens man this week.
Decision made on possible debut for former St Helens man Lewis Dodd
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
The NRL team lists for Round Seven are now confirmed and it has been revealed that Lewis Dodd is set to make his debut, although he will not start for the Bunnies.
Instead, Dodd looks set to be used as a utility from the bench and as cover should veteran Cody Walker, who is returning from injury, have an issue with his hamstring once again.
Mitchell and Walker will start at six and seven with recent makeshift half Jack Wighton moving into the centres and Jye Gray resuming at full-back after his electric start to the season.
It’s unclear how many minutes Dodd will play but the fact he has been named to the interchange signals that he will make his debut and he couldn’t make it in much more of a hostile atmosphere.
Souths travel to face league leaders Canterbury Bulldogs, who remain unbeaten, where a record-breaking crowd of 70,000 is expected on Good Friday. He might have played in Good Friday derbies for St Helens in front of 20,000 at Wigan, but he’s set for a trial by fire in front of more than triple that crowd for his NRL debut.
Here’s your Rabbitohs squad for our Good Friday clash 🐰❤️💚
VIEW SQUAD: https://t.co/3YP5m334k7#ReclaimTheGame pic.twitter.com/EUpIw8Wbb0
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) April 15, 2025
