Comebacks are nothing new to Matt King but South Sydney coach Michael Maguire sounded a tad sceptical about the ex-Test flyer’s latest return in the Rabbitohs’ Auckland Nines squad.
King, 34, will don the Rabbitohs colours for the first time since his 2013 retirement at Auckland next weekend after a string of Nines squad announcements on Friday.
King adds to the trend of retirees returning for the Nines along with Canberra’s Ken Nagas this year after the success of Steve Menzies and Brad Fittler at the 2014 inaugural tournament.
Much to Maguire’s amusement, it seems.
King already has one sensational return up his sleeve after initially hanging up his boots at 22 following a frustrating run in Cronulla reserve grade.
It has now gone down in league folklore that King worked as a barman and garbage collector before reigniting his career at Melbourne.
He went on to play 10 Tests, nine Origins for NSW, 114 NRL games and 106 English Super League matches before again retiring two years ago at the Rabbitohs.
Still, Maguire sounded like a man who needed some convincing about King’s return when asked about his inclusion on Friday.
“He’s definitely excited but I think it will test him a bit, it’s a pretty quick game the Nines,” a smiling Maguire said.
“Kingy has been doing a bit of training with the boys and staying in touch but I am sure the lungs will open up once he gets out there.”
Maguire sounded more confident about Kiwi hooker Issac Luke captaining South Sydney for the first time in the absence of Greg Inglis.
“It’s great for Issac. He is always aspiring to continue his leadership in the team and I thought it was fitting with him going back to his hometown,” he said.
Luke will lead a strong squad also featuring fellow internationals George Burgess, Dylan Walker and Bryson Goodwin.
Meanwhile, Daly Cherry-Evans will skipper Manly and combine with Kieran Foran for the first time at the Nines.
At the Bulldogs, new recruit Brett Morris will be a Nines no show but his twin brother Josh will headline a Canterbury squad without their Four Nations stars bar Frank Pritchard and halves Trent Hodkinson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (shoulder).
At the Sharks, Luke Lewis has been confirmed as captain with Paul Gallen, Ben Barba and Michael Ennis overlooked as expected.
At Wests Tigers, Chris Lawrence will step up in captain Robbie Farah’s absence in a squad also featuring veteran flyer Pat Richards and new recruit Kevin Naiqama.
And Queensland winger Will Chambers will skipper a star-deprived Melbourne squad with an average age of 22.
Parramatta, North Queensland, Penrith and Sydney Roosters are yet to name their squads.
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