Seventh heaven: Jamie Humphreys wins the race for Rabbitohs starting spot as Toddy Payten drops rep star

Jamie Humphreys has won the race for the South Sydney No.7 jersey, with the young run beating out English recruit Lewis Dodd who has been named on an extended bench after he missed the round one win due to suspension, while an incumbent Maroons star has been dropped after a horror defensive display.

Humphreys starred against the Dolphins with a whopping 711 metres off the boot, while he also defended brilliantly despite having plenty of traffic sent his way.

Dodd was signed to replace Lachlan Ilias in the halves, but he won’t get the chance to face off against the Dragons halfback, with Humphreys to steer the team around the park this weekend.

“He looks like Iron Man,” edge forward Keaon Koloamatangi said.

“He’s really good, he’s not much of a talker off the field but on the field he talks a lot and mainly leads with his actions.

“Being the halfback of the Rabbitohs, you need to step up and be a really big focal point of the team. He did a great job in his first game. He’s improving each week.”

The Rabbitohs have been forced into a number of changes with Fletcher Myers replacing the suspended Jack Wighton, while Bayleigh Bentley-Hape will make his debut on the left wing after starring with a couple of tries in reserve grade.

They face a fairly settled Dragons side who have recalled Blake Lawrie on the bench in place of local junior Ryan Couchman who tore his ACL last week.

Representative edge forward Jeremiah Nanai has paid the price for his poor defensive display against Manly on Saturday night, with the try-scoring machine dumped from the 17 after missing four tackles, with Kai O’Donnell replacing him on the edge.

“Jeremiah is an elite attacking player and needs to improve some defensive parts of his game, and he’s going to get some time in Q Cup to do that,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, but we felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost.”

The big guns are back for the Wests Tigers with Jahream Bula and Api Koroisau both named to face an Eels side missing Jake Tago and Kelma Tuilagi, with Jordan Samrani to make his NRL debut on the wing.

The Dolphins welcome back Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls but they’ve lost Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (concussion protocols) and Connelly Lemuelu (eye socket) for their game against the Knights.

Blaize Talagi will again bide his time in NSW Cup for Penrith, with the premiers welcoming back champion winger Brian To’o for the game against the Roosters who have named Salesi Foketi at lock.

David Fifita will start the season on the bench for the Titans, with new recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard to start in the front row against a Bulldogs team that gets Josh Curran back from suspension.

And Siosiua Taukeiaho (knee) will miss the trip to New Zealand, while Albert Hopoate replaces the suspended Xavier Savage in Canberra.