Wayne Bennett has confirmed star lock Cameron Murray's experiment on the left edge is over, with the Origin gun to be shifted back to the middle for Friday's clash against Melbourne.
Despite enjoying a breakout season in 2019 playing at lock, Murray has spent the opening three games of the season playing at second-row to fill the huge void left by the retirement of club legend Sam Burgess.
Whilst Murray has still had an impact on the left edge, the Rabbitohs have missed his speed around the ruck and the damaging combination he shares with hooker Damien Cook in the middle of the field.
Cook told Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday he'd enjoy seeing Murray shifted back to the middle as Souths prepare to travel down to Melbourne.
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"I wouldn't mind [Murray being shifted back into lock] personally just to get more time with him in the middle," Cook said.
"I've built a similar combination that I've got with Cody [Walker].. and it's similar to the one I have with Cam as well.
"We know how each other plays so a bit more time with Cam in the middle I'd definitely enjoy."
And it appears Bennett has taken the advice of his rake, with the Rabbitohs coach confirming Murray will return to his favoured lock position for the crucial clash against Melbourne.
"I think just at the moment it's the best thing for us as a team," Bennett told reporters on Thursday. "I think he can certainly handles the edge well but we probably need what he brings in the middle at the moment
"The middles haven't been bad they've been quite competent at the moment actually, but we've had a lot of niggling injuries with them last week. He just adds a little bit to his there."
The shift of Murray back to lock means Liam Knight will return to the bench role he starred in for South Sydney last season, with Bennett saying: "He did a great job for us there last year and I'm sure he'll do it again for us."
Meanwhile, the on-field re-shuffle will also see young monster Keaon Koloamatangi make his NRL debut from the interchange bench.
The 22-year-old 191cm prop had a huge impact for the Rabbitohs in the second-half of their Charity Shield win in the pre-season and Bennett declared his story is an inspiring one.
"He's a Souths junior, I didn't realise until this morning him and Cam Murray played together since they were seven years of age," Bennett said.
"His journey's been a bit more difficult than Cam's I think he had a few weight problems and I think he had a few attitude problems. He's been really good since I've been here and he's got himself in good shape and he's got good skills.
"There's certainly quite a player in that body."
