NRL

He’s only featured in 10 games this season for Wayne Bennett with just two NRL starts.

But 24-year-old Jayden Sullivan suddenly finds himself as a critical piece in South Sydney’s run towards the NRL finals with news that the man in front of him in the Rabbitohs’ halves is set to miss the rest of the season.

Ashton Ward suffered a high-grade hamstring tear when attempting a shot at goal in the Round 23 win over Parramatta and the club has now confirmed the worst.

In a double shock the Rabbitohs also released a statement saying Jamie Humphreys, who began the season as the club’s first-choice No.7, is out for at least the crucial clash with the Bulldogs and is no guarantee to return next week as he manages a chronic ankle injury.

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The injuries come at the worst possible time for the Rabbitohs as they chase their first finals appearance since 2022 without injured star Latrell Mitchell.

Their worries in the halves are also compounded by the ticking time bomb that is Cody Walker’s 36-year-old calf.

Speaking on Tuesday, Sullivan’s teammates threw their support behind their new halfback with forward Adam Elliott describing him as a ‘classy player’.

“He’s stepped up at times where he’s had to and he’s shown that class and I think that’s why he’s got the trust that he has with Wayne,” Elliott said, echoing the views of Keaon Koloamatangi.

“He’s a very silky ballplayer,” Koloamatangi added.

“Credit to him, he’s been on the extended bench for a lot of our games and he hasn’t had a lot of football, but he’s been ripping into training and a lot of boys have confidence in him and he’s a great player, he’s an eyes up footy player.”

Rabbitohs halfback Ashton Ward will miss the remainder of the season having sustained a high grade hamstring tear against the Eels last weekend.
Utility Jamie Humphreys is managing a chronic ankle issue and is a week-to-week proposition. pic.twitter.com/RYx4wL1hxR
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— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) August 11, 2026

NRL

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