More to Souths than Inglis, says Lang

South Sydney coach John Lang has warned his players not to rely solely on Greg Inglis to end the club’s 40-year wait for a premiership.

The Rabbitohs are second favourites behind St George Illawarra in NRL premiership betting having secured the services of the Queensland and Test superstar on a three-year deal.

Lang denied he’s under more pressure than any other coach, but said the time has come for the team’s other big names to step up and end a wretched record of making the finals just once in 22 years.

“It’s very important for everyone at Souths that we don’t sit down and say `Greg’s signed with us, sit back, happy days’ we really have to step up as a team,” said Lang, at the launch for the annual Charity Shield clash with the Dragons on February 13 at ANZ Stadium.

“Greg’s shown he can step up in the big games, but as a club, we haven’t for a long, long time.

“If everyone else steps up as individuals and we step up as a team, Greg will give us that supercharge we need, but he can’t do it all for us.

“There’s more expectation with a team that has top class players in it, but I would rather that than a team where you are thinking `we may struggle to win a game here’.

“There is pressure every year and every week and it doesn’t matter where you are, every club’s supporters expect success.”

Inglis is yet to start full training with his new teammates following surgery to his shoulder and hip, but he is confident of being fit to face Sydney Roosters in round one on March 11.

“I was supposed to start running this week, but I have been laid-low by a virus and been confined to bed,” Inglis said.

“I’ll be talking to medical staff and Langy as well and I hope to be fit for the Roosters and also hope to get a trial game under my belt before that.”

Lang cautioned against expecting too much from Inglis following his double surgery and long lay-off, with his last game being Melbourne’s round 26 clash with Newcastle in September.

“Greg’s had two operations in the off-season and had a traumatic time in the Melbourne last year,” said the veteran coach.

“I think the biggest thing for him is to get over the injuries and get into the swing of training and go out and enjoy his football.

“If he does that he will play his best footy.”

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