Wayne Bennett cut a relaxed figure as South Sydney recorded their second NRL win in as many weeks with a 20-16 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
The super coach described the Round 24 performance as ‘a gutsy win’ and acknowledged the result means the Rabbitohs have almost certainly avoided the dreaded NRL wooden spoon.
“It probably does (mean we’re safe),” Bennett smirked post-match.
“Very unlikely isn’t it—should we have the party now?”
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‘Fifty minutes Cody’
In the night’s other big news for long-suffering Rabbitohs fans, veteran playmaker Cody Walker made a successful return from injury, much to the relief of his coach.
“It was good to get him through a game, that’s why I started him late,” Bennett joked, after waiting until the 31st minute to inject the 35-year-old into the game.
“He couldn’t finish a game (earlier in the season), this might be his new position now, ‘50 minutes Cody’.”
For his part, Walker isn’t keen on becoming a Rabbitohs super sub.
“Nah, I was looking up at the box after ten minutes, thinking ‘when am I getting on?’” Walker said.
“It’s a bit different (coming off the bench), but I was just happy to be out there with the boys and contribute to a win.
“It’s been a pretty tough season, when you’re injured, just sitting there watching, you can’t contribute, there’s no worse feeling.”
The Rabbitohs are on a short turnaround for Round 25 and play the Dragons next Thursday night at Accor Stadium.