Damien Cook has been excluded from the Rabbitohs lineup for their upcoming match against the Sharks on Saturday, marking a significant move by the club amid their current struggles.
The seasoned Blues hooker was seen training with South Sydney’s reserve team before being left out of the top 17 when the team roster was unveiled. Cook has been replaced by 23-year-old newcomer Peter Mamouzelos, who will take on the starting hooker role, with Siliva Havili named in the No.15 jersey. This indicates that Cook is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s game.
This decision to drop Cook is part of a series of substantial changes at South Sydney, as head coach Jason Demetriou strives to address the team’s poor performance in the 2024 season. Additionally, with star fullback Latrell Mitchell serving a three-week suspension, Jye Gray is set to make his NRL debut in Mitchell’s absence.
Cook’s demotion follows the earlier decision to drop halfback Lachlan Ilias in favor of Dean Hawkins last month. The upcoming match against the Sharks has been highlighted as a crucial test for Demetriou’s leadership, with reports suggesting that the club is internally reviewing its football operations under his guidance.
Despite the team’s current form slump, Demetriou has not been officially informed by the club that his position is under threat. In a positive development for Souths, winger Tyrone Munro is set to return from a shoulder injury, marking his first appearance of the season.
With only one win in their first five games of the season, the Rabbitohs currently sit at the bottom of the league ladder, adding pressure on the team to turn their fortunes around.
