Fittler urges 'quiet' Rabbitohs skipper to 'grow up'

League legend Brad Fittler has urged "quiet" South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray to stand up and lead the club out of the doldrums. The Rabbitohs are wallowing on the bottom of the NRL ladder after a fourth defeat in five games to start season 2024. Their dire form has rolled on from last year, when they led the competition midway through the season before falling off a cliff and missing finals. Coach Jason Demetriou's neck is firmly on the chopping block but Fittler says it's the captain who needs to do the grunt work. "I reckon the captain needs to find his voice," Fittler told Nine's Sunday Footy Show. "He's the best player on the field week in, week out. He's a very quiet sort of bloke, he needs to maybe speak up. "This is a good time maybe for him to grow up. "It's between him and the coach, they are the leaders in the club so the team needs to look more like Cam Murray than they do at South Sydney at the moment and Jason Demetriou's got to help him. "They've got to help each other, they've got to pick some standards and go righto, this is what we're about, this isn't what we're about and they both need to work it out." Andrew Johns reckons the heat is rightly on Demetriou, rather than Murray. "I think it's more on the coach to get there and do a total reset," Johns said. Reports claim Demetriou could be sacked if the Bunnies lose to Cronulla in round six. That game is followed by a bye, and then clashes against the Storm and Panthers.

Feud over Souths star Cameron Murray's future escalates with no apologies

The Rabbitohs have criticized Rugby Australia for targeting Souths' captain Cameron Murray. Wallabies coach Eddie Jones expressed his desire to have a player like Murray in the team. However, Murray, who played rugby in his teens, stated that he would not consider joining the Wallabies until his Souths contract ends in 2025.Souths CEO Blake Solly condemned rugby's powerbrokers for their interest in Murray, urging them to resolve their financial issues instead of poaching league's talent. Solly highlighted that Murray is contracted until the end of 2025 and that they would like him to stay longer. He suggested that rugby needs more than some NRL signings to address its problems of losing talented kids to rugby league every year and its financial challenges.In response, RA chairman Hamish McLennan stated that rugby is back in the black and that Solly's comment was not much of a sledge. He defended RA's interest in Murray, citing the free market. Jones also confirmed his interest in Murray while praising his leadership and toughness, comparing his potential impact to that of Sonny Bill Williams when he moved from league to union.

NRL star's telling response to Wallabies talk

Cameron Murray has revealed he has weighed up a code switch to rugby union later in his career as new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones voiced his interest in the South Sydney captain.Jones has always been intrigued by high-profile NRL stars, previously luring Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri from rugby league ahead of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.Speaking on SEN's Mornings with Matt White, Jones said Murray would be his ideal target to entice across to the 15-player game."Of the current players, there's a rugby player called Cameron Murray who'd be pretty handy. He'd be a fantastic 12 in rugby," he said on Monday.Murray's junior career included selection in the Australian Schoolboys rugby team, and a reputation as a talented inside-centre.However, currently contracted with Souths until the end of 2025, Murray insists he is not going anywhere for the time being."As far as I'm concerned my loyalty is with my next three years at the club - I'm contracted here that's where my focus and energy is," Murray told 9News.Asked if a code switch was something he would consider beyond his current deal, Murray said he had viewed a move long-term."But that's as much energy as I give it so it's all hypotheticals right now," he added.

Legendary Skipper in the Marking

South Sydney have had some legendary captains down the years - from old timers like Jack Rayner, Clive Churchill and John Sattler to modern day greats Craig Coleman and Mario Fenech.And after just 12 months in the job, Cameron Murray is setting himself up to be talked about in such glowing terms as those illustrious leaders in the future.Filling the big shoes of Adam Reynolds, Murray has been outstanding at the helm for the Bunnies this season.He has taken his own game to a new level and his teammates have followed his lead.Against Cronulla on Saturday night, Murray was impeccable.He scored a crucial solo try that proved pivotal in Souths' 38-12 win, came up with a try assist and topped his team's tackle count.The local junior is likely to lead the Rabbitohs for much of the next decade - and as long as he does, the Bunnies will be in good hands.