The South Sydney Rabbitohs are grappling with a severe injury crisis in the 2025 NRL season, which has brought to light what some experts are calling a “gigantic error” in the club’s past recruitment strategy. This situation stems from the decision made ahead of the 2022 season to let go of veteran halfback Adam Reynolds, offering him only a one-year contract instead of the two-year extension he sought.
The decision saw Reynolds, now 35, move to the Brisbane Broncos after feeling undervalued by the Rabbitohs, who doubted his ability to endure the physical demands of the NRL over the long term. However, Reynolds has defied expectations, proving his durability and skill, while South Sydney struggles with an expanding injury list.
Reynolds’ Impact and Souths’ Struggles
Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has been vocal about the issue, suggesting that South Sydney’s sports science and high-performance staff need to be scrutinized. “Souths need an investigation into their injuries, they really do. Their sports science, their high-performance. A lot of them have happened at training,” Rothfield stated on the Big Sports Breakfast.
Rothfield criticized the decision made four years ago, highlighting that whoever advised the Rabbitohs’ recruitment team about Reynolds’ potential risk made a significant misjudgment. In his column for The Daily Telegraph, Rothfield presented several compelling statistics to support his argument.
Since joining the Broncos, Reynolds has played 74 games, which is 20 more than Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell and only four fewer than Cody Walker. He has also achieved 78 try assists, 600 points, 3,490 possessions, and 30,412 kicking meters, surpassing both Mitchell and Walker in each category.
Injury Woes and the Length of the Season
South Sydney’s current injury list is extensive, with key players such as Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Brandon Smith, Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, and others sidelined. Rothfield believes that while the Rabbitohs must examine their sports science practices, the issue may be more systemic.
Former player Laurie Daley weighed in, suggesting that the NRL season’s length contributes to player fatigue and injuries. “The season is too long, isn’t it, 27 rounds… it’s a lot of football. 24 games, plus your Origins and your Test matches,” Daley commented.
Rothfield echoed Daley’s concerns, urging rugby league authorities to consider the welfare of elite players who face a grueling schedule. “It is for the elite players, for the players who play finals every year. They play State of Origin, they play trial matches, they play the All Stars game,” Rothfield noted.
“As I said, they then have an international series. Then they got their six weeks off, then they get an interrupted pre-season. You’ve got to look at the welfare and you’ve got to look at injuries across the competition. Look at Souths. Latrell (Mitchell), (Cody) Walker, (Cameron) Murray, Campbell Graham, Keaon Koloamatangi.”
Looking Ahead: Potential Reforms and Solutions
The current predicament faced by the Rabbitohs could prompt broader discussions about player welfare and the structure of the NRL season. With the league’s physical demands showing no signs of abating, clubs may need to reassess their recruitment strategies and support systems to ensure player longevity and performance.
As the Rabbitohs navigate their injury crisis, the club’s leadership may need to reflect on past decisions and consider reforms that prioritize player health and sustainability. The lessons learned from the Adam Reynolds saga could serve as a catalyst for change, not just for South Sydney, but for the entire league.
In the meantime, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Rabbitohs respond to these challenges and whether the club can recover from its current predicament to remain competitive in the 2025 NRL season.
