‘Time for me to grow up': South Sydney's unlikely duo dominating in the middle and pushing for Origin recalls
A pre-season health kick and an honest chat with Wayne Bennett have helped turn two of South Sydney's most experienced players into a dynamic duo in the middle who have their eyes on taking down another couple of star props.
Keaon Koloamatangi has spoken extensively this year about his sacrifices over summer that helped him lose a stack of weight, while Jai Arrow was told by Bennett that it was time for him to grow up as a leader.
Both of them started the year well on the edge, with the pair playing the first seven games together in the back row.
But injuries and poor form around them forced Bennett's hand, with Koloamatangi and Arrow both starting in the front row in each of their past two games, with the Rabbitohs picking up two crucial wins before their bye.
Arrow has been as solid as ever, but Koloamatangi has been in career-best form with 50 runs, 462m and 83 tackles in wins over the Broncos and Wests Tigers.
To put that in perspective, he had only run for 100m in three of the first nine games of the season.
'I'll leave that to other people (to say whether this is the best I've ever played) but I just try to do my job for the team,' he said.
'Whatever position I play, I just want to win the two points.
'Because of all the injuries, Wayne just said that he needed a bigger body up front. I've played middle my whole career, so it's not unfamiliar for me.
'It was an easy transition, so I didn't even have to think about it. I just did what Wayne wants because he's the coach.
'I get pretty tired through it, but I had a big pre-season and I focused on my fitness and my body.
'I also focused on my mind, and my mind is in a really good space, so I know I can play 80 in any position. I get confidence from Wayne believing in me, and that allows me to play 80 minutes.'
Koloamatangi may still see himself as an edge forward, but his future lies in the middle where he's set to partner Arrow, who has always played his best footy closer to the action.
Arrow, 29, is in his fifth season at the club and was told by Bennett at the start of the year that he had to step up with Tom Burgess moving on and skipper Cam Murray going down injured.
'When Wayne first came back, he put a bit of ownership on me and put me in the leadership group. He told me it was time for me to grow up,' he said.
'I've tried to realistically play my role and help out where I've needed to help out to lead by example for the young boys coming through.
'He said that a long time ago, but as I'm starting to get a bit older, I know that I've got to stand up and play my role for the team.
'I've had a bit more of a voice this year than I have in past years because we lost a fair few leaders in this side.'
The pair have taken down Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, and Terrell May in recent weeks, with the South Sydney stars set to come up against Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris on Sunday in another heavyweight bout.
'I think if you're the starting front row in any team, you've got to take that role by the horns,' Koloamatangi said.
'Me and Jai aren't the biggest front-row duo, but the main thing we can do is put in effort and do our job for the team.'
Another couple of big performances could earn Koloamatangi a State of Origin recall, although the competition's in-form forward revealed he and NSW coach Laurie Daley hadn't spoken.
'I didn't hear from him,' he said.
'Obviously, I want to play, but that wasn't on my mind.
'I didn't have the best start to the year that I wish I could, but you never know what will happen. Everything happens for a reason. I'll just keep playing well for the Bunnies and whatever happens, happens.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Daily Telegraph
Gorden Tallis slams Broncos' ‘disrespectful' Selwyn Cobbo move
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Gorden Tallis has criticised the Broncos for prioritising re-signing two veteran halfbacks over Selwyn Cobbo, who is potentially the future of the club. Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt will both play for the Broncos in 2026 in what looms as their final seasons in first grade, but at 23, Cobbo looks like being forced out of a club he doesn't want to leave. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > Tallis believes the Broncos have been disrespectful to Cobbo by not leaving enough funds in their salary cap to re-sign him. 'The Selwyn Cobbo one is a bit funny to me because I think he is the future of the club,' Tallis said on NRL 360. 'They have re-signed Kotoni Staggs. They have got two 35-year-old No.7's that they re-signed as a priority and they re-signed another hooker when they have got five. 'Then they have got this young talent and they leave $300,000, which I think is a little bit disrespectful for a State of Origin player and I don't think he has lost that much mojo. 'In my opinion when Reece Walsh was out and he went back to fullback, he kept them in a Gorden Tallis has slammed the Broncos for disrespecting Selwyn Cobbo. Image: Getty The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield believes Reynolds may have forced Cobbo out of the club. 'The interesting thing is Adam Reynolds said he would not sign a new deal until the other boys had because he didn't want to force anyone out, well he has,' Rothfield said. 'I'm not blaming him, but it was a difficult decision.' Rothfield revealed the Dragons were close to making a play for Cobbo and his asking price shows how far the Broncos are from keeping him. 'Selwyn Cobbo was in Sydney two weeks ago and he visited St George Illawarra and he spoke to coach Shane Flanagan,' Rothfield said. 'They were asking for about $650,000 to $700,000 and St George were quite keen to do a deal for a little bit less than that if they could get him this year because they have had injuries in the outside backs. 'I don't think it is going to happen, but what it does show is how far the Broncos are off the pace with what the kid and the manager are looking for. They are not even halfway there.' Braith Anasta added: 'Let's be honest they think they are still a chance of keeping him, but really they are not.' Selwyn Cobbo will have to reportedly take a big pay cut to just $300,000 a year to stay at Red Hill. NRL PHOTOS The Daily Telegraph's Brent Read believes the Broncos could find more room to up their offer to Cobbo, but the problem is his best form has been in a position they don't need him to play. 'Not unless they find another $200,000 or $300,000 and clubs can do that sometimes when they need to,' Read said. 'They can move a couple of blokes and juggle some funds around, but at the moment, I know he played well at fullback for a couple of games, but they don't need a fullback. 'They need him to play well when he is on the wing and he hasn't been playing well, so that's why he is in reserve grade and the kid who has come in Josiah Karapani is doing really well.' 'Maybe he is busted,' Tallis interjected. Rothfield believes Hunt is an interesting signing because he will be trying to break into the hooker rotation when he returns from injury. 'You talk about the old halves they signed and it is an interesting one with Ben Hunt because when he comes back from injury I don't think he is going to play five-eighth,' Rothfield said. 'Ezra Mam is comfortable there and he is obviously the future, so signing Hunt for those two years, not necessarily the Reynolds extension, might be what costs Selwyn Cobbo a spot at that club long-term.' However, Read believes the Broncos are eyeing Hunt as their hooker until Blake Mozer develops into his replacement in 2027. 'I think they are looking at their spine next year with Ben Hunt at hooker and he is a pretty good hooker Ben Hunt,' Read said. The Broncos have prioritised Adam Reynolds (pictured) over Selwyn Cobbo. Picture: Tara Croser. 'He is probably the best hooker they have got on their roster. Obviously Cory Paix is not killing it because they are not re-signing him. 'They have obviously made a decision that Ben Hunt will be their hooker and they have got young Blake Mozer on a long-term deal.' Tallis believes the Broncos may have been better off blooding young gun Coby Black at halfback, who led the Maroons to a win in the under 19s Origin last Thursday. 'It's nothing against the two 35-year-old halfbacks, but the future of the club are not two 35-year-old halfbacks,' Tallis said. 'Queensland won the State of Origin with a young 19-year-old halfback that could sit there and get some experience.' 'He will learn off those guys and at some point he will get an opportunity,' Read interjected. 'Yeah, but it is better playing,' Tallis countered. 'It is better getting a taste and you look at the Roosters with their young halves, there is no better way to learn than at the coalface.' Originally published as Gorden Tallis slams Broncos' 'disrespectful' Selwyn Cobbo move
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Gorden Tallis slams Broncos' ‘disrespectful' Selwyn Cobbo move
Gorden Tallis has criticised the Broncos for prioritising re-signing two veteran halfbacks over Selwyn Cobbo, who is potentially the future of the club. Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt will both play for the Broncos in 2026 in what looms as their final seasons in first grade, but at 23, Cobbo looks like being forced out of a club he doesn't want to leave. Tallis believes the Broncos have been disrespectful to Cobbo by not leaving enough funds in their salary cap to re-sign him. 'The Selwyn Cobbo one is a bit funny to me because I think he is the future of the club,' Tallis said on NRL 360. 'They have re-signed Kotoni Staggs. They have got two 35-year-old No.7's that they re-signed as a priority and they re-signed another hooker when they have got five. 'Then they have got this young talent and they leave $300,000, which I think is a little bit disrespectful for a State of Origin player and I don't think he has lost that much mojo. 'In my opinion when Reece Walsh was out and he went back to fullback, he kept them in a The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield believes Reynolds may have forced Cobbo out of the club. 'The interesting thing is Adam Reynolds said he would not sign a new deal until the other boys had because he didn't want to force anyone out, well he has,' Rothfield said. 'I'm not blaming him, but it was a difficult decision.' Rothfield revealed the Dragons were close to making a play for Cobbo and his asking price shows how far the Broncos are from keeping him. 'Selwyn Cobbo was in Sydney two weeks ago and he visited St George Illawarra and he spoke to coach Shane Flanagan,' Rothfield said. 'They were asking for about $650,000 to $700,000 and St George were quite keen to do a deal for a little bit less than that if they could get him this year because they have had injuries in the outside backs. 'I don't think it is going to happen, but what it does show is how far the Broncos are off the pace with what the kid and the manager are looking for. They are not even halfway there.' Braith Anasta added: 'Let's be honest they think they are still a chance of keeping him, but really they are not.' The Daily Telegraph's Brent Read believes the Broncos could find more room to up their offer to Cobbo, but the problem is his best form has been in a position they don't need him to play. 'Not unless they find another $200,000 or $300,000 and clubs can do that sometimes when they need to,' Read said. 'They can move a couple of blokes and juggle some funds around, but at the moment, I know he played well at fullback for a couple of games, but they don't need a fullback. 'They need him to play well when he is on the wing and he hasn't been playing well, so that's why he is in reserve grade and the kid who has come in Josiah Karapani is doing really well.' 'Maybe he is busted,' Tallis interjected. Rothfield believes Hunt is an interesting signing because he will be trying to break into the hooker rotation when he returns from injury. 'You talk about the old halves they signed and it is an interesting one with Ben Hunt because when he comes back from injury I don't think he is going to play five-eighth,' Rothfield said. 'Ezra Mam is comfortable there and he is obviously the future, so signing Hunt for those two years, not necessarily the Reynolds extension, might be what costs Selwyn Cobbo a spot at that club long-term.' However, Read believes the Broncos are eyeing Hunt as their hooker until Blake Mozer develops into his replacement in 2027. 'I think they are looking at their spine next year with Ben Hunt at hooker and he is a pretty good hooker Ben Hunt,' Read said. 'He is probably the best hooker they have got on their roster. Obviously Cory Paix is not killing it because they are not re-signing him. 'They have obviously made a decision that Ben Hunt will be their hooker and they have got young Blake Mozer on a long-term deal.' Tallis believes the Broncos may have been better off blooding young gun Coby Black at halfback, who led the Maroons to a win in the under 19s Origin last Thursday. 'It's nothing against the two 35-year-old halfbacks, but the future of the club are not two 35-year-old halfbacks,' Tallis said. 'Queensland won the State of Origin with a young 19-year-old halfback that could sit there and get some experience.' 'He will learn off those guys and at some point he will get an opportunity,' Read interjected. 'Yeah, but it is better playing,' Tallis countered. 'It is better getting a taste and you look at the Roosters with their young halves, there is no better way to learn than at the coalface.'
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Is it time to move Nicho from seven?
NRL: The NRL 360 panel look into if the Sharks should move Nicho Hynes from halfback after a tough start to the season.
