Ashton Ward will line up for Souths against the Dolphins on Sunday after the NRL granted the Rabbitohs an exemption to break a player eligibility rule. And Wayne Bennett has slammed the door firmly shut on the Rabbitohs making a play for Zac Lomax.
Ward will start at halfback for the Bunnies on Sunday afternoon after the club’s injury carnage from last year continued into 2026. First-choice halfback Jamie Humphreys is suspended until Round 3, while Jonah Glover broke his jaw in the pre-season and Jayden Sullivan has been battling an infection.
Wayne Bennett (R) and the Rabbitohs have no interest in Zac Lomax (L). Image: Getty
It means Bennett had to turn to fourth-choice halfback Ward in their season-opener against the Dolphins. However it wasn’t straightforward for Ward to play because the 22-year-old is only on a development contract and not part of Souths’ top-30 roster.
Under NRL rules, players on development contracts or train-and-trial deals are banned from playing first-grade until Round 12 of the season. The Rabbitohs have one spot available in their top-30 roster, so they could have opted to upgrade Ward’s contract.
Ashton Ward impressed Wayne Bennett in six NRL games last season.
(Matt King via Getty Images)
But they instead applied for an exemption from the NRL, which was granted. It means Souths can keep a top-30 spot free and still play Ward on Sunday.
“He impressed me last year when he got the opportunity to play first grade. This time last year, I didn’t think he’d be anywhere near first grade,” Bennett said about Ward on Saturday. “He’s much better this year, much more mature. His decision making and his confidence in himself (have improved), being able to tell the players from time to time what he wants them to do or where he wants them to be.”
Souths won’t be making play for Zac Lomax
Meanwhile, Bennett has stated the Rabbitohs have no interest in Lomax. The Eels said last week they’re happy to negotiate with any club who’s keen on Lomax, so long as Parramatta get their desired compensation (likely a player swap).
Speaking on Saturday, Bennett said the Rabbitohs aren’t interested and declared Lomax must “live with” his decision to break his Eels contract. “I’m not going to bend rules and make rules for individual players,” Bennett said.
“The game has withstood so much pressure over a long period of time. I’ve been here that long, I’ve seen the best players the game’s ever seen play. They’ve all moved on and we’ve still got a great game. The minute we think we can’t be successful without a certain player, we’re in a lot of trouble.
“We want to see good players (in the NRL) and he’s one of those but he’s made a choice. He has to live with it.”