With signature understatement, South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has backed his depleted NRL table-toppers to give hapless Parramatta a run for their money on Friday night.
"I think we can make a game of it," Bennett said on Thursday.
With the loss of State of Origin stars Cody Walker, Dane Gagai, Damien Cook and Cameron Murray compounding a raft of injuries, Bennett has been forced to draft in little-known rookies Connor Tracey, Bayley Sironen, Billy Brittain, Dean Hawkins, Jacob Gagan, Keaon Koloamatangi and Adam Doueihi.
"I think we're going to have our hands full," Bennett said, despite the Eels being dreadful in recent weeks, first leaking 64 points against Melbourne before falling to cellar dwellers North Queensland and Penrith.
"They probably haven't been at their best the last two or three weeks but we all know they can play. They're a quality football team.
"So it will be a challenge for us and I'm excited for the young players to get an opportunity.
"There's a couple of young boys here who have been here a couple of years but haven't had the opportunity through injuries and other things and they're going to get that now.
"I hope they stand up and I'm confident they will."
Bennett is especially leaning on Adam Reynolds to lead the way for the competition leaders.
The in-form playmaker was overlooked by NSW coach Brad Fittler, but the Blues' loss is very much the Rabbitohs' gain.
"He's really important," Bennett said.
"You can't replace what he brings and we can't replace what the other (rep) guys bring, but we've got good players in there and if we'd have lost Adam as well, it would have really made us vulnerable."
There were fears Reynolds had broken his leg last week against Wests Tigers before he was cleared of serious injury and even given the green light for Origin.
"He's good to go. There's been no issues with him all week and I'm pleased that he's right and fit. It makes a a big difference to us," Bennett said.
"He hasn't even got any strapping on his leg."
THE STATS THAT MATTER
- Souths have won six of their past eight NRL games away to Parramatta, including five by 14 points or more.
- But Parramatta have won eight of their past nine games when playing in a representative-affected round, with the Rabbitohs losing five of their past seven matches in a split round.
- Souths will be without two of the most potent attacking threats in the competition in 2019 top tryscorer Cody Walker and Damien Cook, who leads the league this season for try assists.
