South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi says he made a personal pledge this year to not let the Rabbitohs left-edge grab all the plaudits for a second year in a row.
The communication and skills of Cody Walker (16 tries), Latrell Mitchell (13) and Alex Johnston (27) during the 2021 season resulted in 56 tries and helped Souths all the way to the NRL Grand Final.
Koloamatangi, who was in Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler’s extended Origin squad last year, took on the mission to make the right-edge as feared as the left.
“I felt our right side – where I am – was a weak point in our game,” Koloamatangi said in the lead-up to the Grand Final rematch against Penrith on Thursday night.
“I’ve taken it upon myself to be a leader on the right side and take more ownership in defending the line.
“It sort of showed last week in keeping the Parra team to zero. They are a great attacking team.”
The Panthers may be ripe for the picking by Souths as NSW Blues halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai are still on Penrith’s injury and suspension lists; while fullback Dylan Edwards has to prove his fitness after missing last round with a sternum injury.
“They are a solid team and we have to be on our A-game,” Koloamatangi said.
“Just because their stars are out, we can’t take it easy.
“I think we’re where we want to be, sort of hitting our stride at the end of the year after a bit of a tough start to the year. The end of the year is where it counts.”
The Rabbitohs have six wins from their past seven games – the only loss being to a Nicho Hynes field goal against the Sharks (21-20).
They have beaten the Storm, and Parramatta twice – 30-12 in Round 16 and 26-0 in Round 22.
But Jason Demetriou’s side has a tough three games to finish the club season: Penrith, then the Cowboys and the Roosters – all top-eight sides.
They also might have to face the Panthers this week without Mitchell after he left training early yesterday with a groin problem.
“It’s a good challenge; last Friday night (Eels) was sort of a finals feeling and I loved it,” Koloamatangi said after a performance which included 172 running metres, a try assist, line-break assist and several tackle-busts.
“You couldn’t rest in that game and that has prepared us for the semis.
“Obviously making the Grand Final last year we know what it takes. We have a similar (squad)… most of the players we’ve still got from last year making it an easy transition.
“Obviously JD (Demetriou) was assistant (coach) last year so everyone is around the group – there are not too many unfamiliar faces.
“There’s a lot of belief as we know we’ve got some great players in key positions. As long as we turn up – like we’ve done against Storm, Parra and the Sharks as well – I feel like we’ve got one of the best forward packs in the game.
“Then we have Cody and Latrell at the back who are pretty much the best in the game too.
“We’ve just got to do our job and make it easier for them, because points will come from them.”
