The Rabbitohs face being without Origin hooker Damien Cook for their final two rounds of the regular season after a failed Covid test on Saturday morning in a huge blow to their finals hopes.
The Daily Telegraph reported Cook was ruled out of Souths’ clash with the Cowboys, but given their final round clash with the Roosters is just six days away, a PCR test will determine his availability for the Friday blockbuster.
“Some breaking news from Michael Carayannis from The Daily Telegraph website, Damien Cook the South Sydney hooker is out of tonight’s blockbuster with North Queensland,” Matt Russell on Fox League.
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“He tested positive to Covid on a RAT test this morning. He won’t play tonight and he will now have a PCR test to determine whether he plays in the Friday night blockbuster against the Roosters.
“So big news for South Sydney, Damien Cook definitely out tonight and maybe to miss Friday’s game and Siliva Havili and Kodi Nikorima to fill that hooker void for Souths.”
Warren Smith noted the importance of Cook in the Rabbitohs’ fight with the Broncos and Raiders for the final spot in the top eight with all three teams on 28 points after the Raiders thrashed Manly.
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“A massive blow for the Rabbitohs in that clash tonight and if we look ahead to six days down the track,” Warren Smith said.
“It is only six days away the opening of the brand new Allianz Stadium. That is a huge blow for the Rabbitohs.”
The Rabbitohs need to beat the Cowboys or the Roosters to cement their place in the finals given their superior points differential to the Broncos and Raiders, but two losses could see them miss the finals altogether.
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