3 minute read

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett says Damien Cook is still the best No.9 in the game but admits Melbourne star Harry Grant is nipping at his heels.

Damien Cook is still the best hooker in the NRL but Wayne Bennett admits Queensland Origin dummy half Harry Grant is nipping at his heels.

The South Sydney and NSW star will face off against his Origin rival at Stadium Australia on Thursday night when the high-flying Rabbitohs face Melbourne.

Bennett coached Grant in the 2020 series-winning Maroons side and said he loved working with the rising star, although he believes Cook is still No.1.

"He's earnt that, but he's got people like Harry behind him. But Harry is just at the start of his career ... Harry will get there," Bennett said.

"Harry was a really good bloke, happy to do whatever you asked him to do.

"No bitchiness about him or that type of stuff, he's supportive of all the other players and easy to communicate with."

Less than four weeks before teams are picked for the first State of Origin match on June 9, the Origin foes will meet for the first time this season.

Grant missed the opening four matches of the year through injury but has been in hot form since his return to the paddock.

For the second week in a row he's been named to start at No.9 with Brandon Smith moved back to the bench.

Melbourne gave South Sydney their only loss of the season so far in their 26-18 win in round one, but coach Craig Bellamy is wary of the injury-depleted side.

The Rabbitohs will be without Adam Reynolds, Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham and Jaxson Paulo.

"(Murray and Reynolds) are really key to what they do, without a doubt, but one thing about Souths, which I noticed when we first played in the first round, they've got really good depth," Bellamy said.

"Obviously it's hard to replace those guys.

"You bring guys in who've got different strengths so you've got to work out into the team, but Souths will cover most of their injuries with their depth."