Alex Johnston may be three tries away from making rugby league history but South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett doesn’t understand “the fuss” around the achievement.
A 40-point thrashing of the Dragons saw Johnston take one step closer to surpassing Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record, which has stood since 1973.
But in South Sydney’s dominant display, the winger only crossed for one try.
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It was a flat pass – at best – into Johnston that opened the path for his 210th career try, but it did appear as though the ball may have travelled forward as he collected it.
No signal was made by the touch judge and referee Gerard Sutton awarded the try. The Bunker can’t rule on passes going forward or not.
Bennett admits it was a “marginal” call that could have gone either way.
“I don’t think the ref was game to take it off him, to be honest with you,” the veteran coach said post-match.
“I don’t blame him, it was marginal that pass.”
Alex Johnston of the Rabbitohs is tackled. Getty
Johnston now needs two tries to draw level with Irvine, and three to break the record.
He has been backed by league greats to achieve the feat this season, despite now only having one more shot to reach Irvine or break the record.
South Sydney have a bye next round before they take on bitter cross-town rivals the Roosters in what will be a fierce battle to finish up their season.
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Still, his teammate Cody Walker has faith he will achieve the milestone in that match.
“I think so,” Walker said when asked if it is still a possibility.
“We will see what happens. We have to see how they (the Roosters) defend us.
“It is history-making … I couldn’t imagine what is going through his head. It is a record that has been around forever and now we are this close to breaking it.
“To be a part of something like that will be very, very special.”
Bennett interjected: “You could be on the bench though.”
“I’ll still run on,” Walker laughed.
Wayne Bennett and Cody Walker speak at the Rabbitohs post-match press conference. Nine
When it came to Bennett’s own feelings about the milestone, he informed reporters that he will celebrate the historic achievement when it is to occur.
But as for now, it will just be regular programming for all at the Rabbitohs.
“I don’t know why you are making such a fuss about it, to be honest,” Bennett said.
“It is there, it is not broken, the day it is will be a great moment. No one can predict when or where (it is going to happen).
“Let’s just get on with our lives, that’s what he’s doing. It will come and we will all celebrate it. Even if we have to get Cody off the stretcher, we will celebrate it.”
Bennett went on to praise the success of Walker on return from injury, but did not shy away from taking a few more cheeky jabs at his playmaker.
“There are about seven Cody’s who aren’t playing for us. When they do come out, they are excellent,” Bennett said.
“Cody finished his normal way today where he had to come off early. He assures me that he is good. He is so used to coming off early now that he doesn’t want to stay on long for games anymore.
“I will have to make some decisions on team selections (in two weeks against the Roosters). I haven’t had to do that.”
The victory over the Dragons puts the Rabbitohs on track to claim four straight wins to end their season. Although, Bennett joked it could really be five on the trot.
“We have got four straight wins, we have the bye next week,” he laughed.
‘We had a bye a couple of months ago and they tried to take the points off us. We are going better now so they said we can have the points.
“You guys had us winning the wooden spoon two weeks ago, so just give us a break. We will get to the game in two weeks and talk about it then.”
