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Comeback King boosts Souths' Nines bid

31st January, 2015
4

Signed on a one dollar deal, Matt King has helped his “tight” employers South Sydney stay on track for a major payday at the $2.4 million Auckland Nines.

And fellow returning retiree Ken Nagas has enjoyed a priceless experience as Canberra shocked tournament favourites the New Zealand Warriors at Eden Park.

The Rabbitohs already have their eyes on the $370,000 winner’s prize after the comeback King chimed into their unbeaten start at Eden Park.

After downing a depleted Penrith 11-4, South Sydney sounded an ominous warning by beat defending champions North Queensland 19-12, with King crossing for a try.

The Rabbitohs may be hoping to hit the Nines jackpot in Sunday’s final but until then the tournament will be a labour of love for King.

“I signed on a one dollar contract – I took a photo of it,” ex-Test flyer King said.

“And they will probably stretch that money out over 12 months the tight buggers.”

King, 34, showed plenty of rust in his first match for the Rabbitohs since 2013 but admitted he had got the taste for NRL footy again – sort of.

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“If I can play a couple of 18 minute games once a year I would be sweet – but no more comeback plans for me,” King laughed.

Winning the Nines with the Rabbitohs may not make up for missing out on their 2014 NRL premiership success, but it will help ease the pain for King.

“I was very jealous of what they achieved last year but who knows what we can pull off here,” said King who retired after the 2013 NRL season.

Meanwhile, Nagas was just trying to get his head around the game let alone Canberra’s stunning fightback from 19-4 down to upset the Warriors 23-19 to silence their adoring crowd.

It made up for the disappointment of their opening 16-10 loss to Wests Tigers in which Nagas was denied a match-turning try.

Thirteen years after his retirement, Nagas, 41, almost became Canberra’s hero in the dying moments against the Tigers.

However, he was tackled without the ball by Pat Richards with the line wide open but was denied a penalty try.

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“The boys are different – faster and stronger,” Nagas said of the current game.

“Everything is different from the balls to the way they prepare, the way they wrestle and dominate in tackles – everything.”

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