South Sydney are searching for a new leader after Sam Burgess followed Greg Inglis and John Sutton into retirement.
Cameron Murray has been quick to distance himself from the South Sydney captaincy, declaring that he’s not ready to step into Sam Burgess’ shoes.
Burgess, Inglis and Sutton take almost 800 games of NRL experience with them, leaving a sizeable hole in leadership for the foundation club.
Murray, who has long been touted as a future leader and makes his Kangaroos debut on Saturday, said there were others more qualified for the honour.
“I don’t think I’m ready for the captaincy yet. I’m 21,” Murray said at a fans event on Wednesday ahead of the Test triple-header in Auckland.
“I guess age is irrelevant so it’s probably not an excuse.
“But for me, I don’t think I’ve had the experience that I need and I don’t think I’ve learned what it takes to take over that role, especially filling shoes of Sam.”
Five-eighth Cody Walker has filled the role on different occasions last year, however there are concerns about his long-term future in Redfern.
About to enter the final year of his current deal, the 29-year-old late-bloomer has been linked with a move elsewhere to obtain a big-money contract.
Star hooker Damien Cook is another option, as is halfback Adam Reynolds.
“(Cody has) had some great leadership roles and experience there. So I think he’s probably running favourite for captaincy next year,” Murray said.
“But in saying that, there’s so many other great leaders in our club. Cookie now has shown so much consistency over the last two years.
“He’s played almost every game, every (State of) Origin series, and now he’s going to top his year off playing for the Kangaroos.
“He’ll be more than ready to step up in the leadership role.”
Cook admitted Burgess’ sudden exit has left a leadership vacuum in the club, but remains confident the team wouldn’t be devoid of direction.
“It’s half our leadership group gone now,” Cook said.
“There’s still a couple of us left. Cody stepped up as captain this year, he captained the Indigenous All Stars.
“Adam Reynolds I think would do a great job as well.”
Cook is also adamant the Rabbitohs would again be a premiership force next season despite the departure of their 2014 premiership hero.
Sam’s brother George has also left the club to rejoin the Super League.
“I think with all the younger players we’ve got coming through gives us a lot of confidence (we can challenge for the title),” Cook said.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Murray raises many salient points. (....and he'll soon be a Rooster's player so there's no point anyway!) ;)
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
:laughing:
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It always intrigues me how Wayne gets so much loyalty form the fans. Not saying it's a bad thing but he's just led the Poms to a defeat against Tonga after almost doing the same last season and led the Broncos then Souths to some dismal performances in the finals. I wouldn't get too fired up about his ability to get the best out of teams , the evidence is getting weaker every year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
He doesn’t spend as much time off the field as it seems. It feels like we’re always talking about a Reynolds injury but over the past three years he’s played 21, 24 and 25 games In eight years of first grade he’s only played less than 24 games three times and they were the 21 above, 18 and 16. They were 2015, 16 and 17 so may explain the injury perception a bit
The Barry
Roar Guru
“Ingenious thing...” some of your best work Steve-o
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, he can go for his life, he's not the flash player that he thinks he is, he's got allot of problems and the Bunnies world be better off without him, if he wants to get on that "anthem and all that ingenious thing" which should be a no go in the NRL!!! If he wants a release "THEN HE SHOULD GO FOR IT" good luck to him!!!
mushi
Roar Guru
But one of them will be captain right if Reynolds gets injured. Then you've got the difficult return to the side. Actually... they should definitely make him captain
Albo
Roar Rookie
True. But who else do they have ? For mine, Cook & Murray need to be left free from the captaincy burden. But not sure of any other realistic options ?
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Cook is the logical option. Crazy to think it would be anyone else
mushi
Roar Guru
Isn't he injured a lot? I'd be worried about that with no obvious back up who wouldn't covet it permanently
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm very sure Wayne Bennett is having sleepless nights, wondering who is going to be the next captain of the Rabbitohs - NOT! He'll be more concerned with who is going to take over some of the roles big Sam used to fill and making sure he has a solid spine, who will lead the team around the park, etc.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed Albo It would be interesting to see how Reynolds would cope with the added pressure You’d think at his age, he would respond favourably
Albo
Roar Rookie
Murray is their most crucial player and vital to the performance of others around him ( eg Cook). But he is still only a kid and doesn't need any more responsibility on his shoulders at this stage of his career. He will lead them via his commitment and work output, but the captaincy should go to someone else for now. I would suggest Reynolds for now. Murray in a year or so.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Why is it dogging you if a player wants to move on. Players have every right to do what is right by them. The game is now professional (albeit not necessarily run professionally) and loyalty is not what it used to be. If Cody Walker can get a better deal for him and his family elsewhere and takes it, that isn't dogging the Rabbitohs, it is purely business. Let's not pretend that if he has a massive form slump that Bennett won't try and move him on, it goes both ways.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yep, not a worry, the Bunnies will be right up there and any of them players that want to dog us, can go now, are you listening Cody or whoever else??? Wayne will get us on the right track, as this time he will be allowed to chose, develop and go right through with the development at a club. Not like he was at the Broncos. I'm pretty excited about the future of the Bunnies as everything is looking good. Go You Bunnies!