'A good introduction to him': Rabbitohs import reacts to 'funny' Wayne Bennett meeting
Rabbitohs recruit Lewis Dodd has shared the hilarious details of his first run-in with coach Wayne Bennett at pre-season training, which went viral on social media last month.
With the Bunnies needing a halfback, the club signed the English premiership-winning on a three-year deal reportedly worth $2.1 million in May.
With the former St Helens star committed before it was announced that Bennett would return to the Burrow, the super coach was not privy to the new signing.
READ MORE: 'Don't repeat that': 'Villain' send off leaves Head filthy
READ MORE: $50m payday hanging over Aussie's F1 debut
READ MORE: Five times Fatty left footy fans in stitches
English halfback Lewis Dodd has arrived at South Sydney. Steven Siewert via Getty Images
Reporting for duty at Rabbitohs HQ in Maroubra last Monday, Dodd was lying on a massage table when he had his awkward first meeting with Bennett.
In the video, which was posted to the Rabbitohs' social media platforms, Bennett asks Dodd his name before realising who he speaking to and replying, 'Ah you're the Pommy'.
Thankfully, the 22-year-old saw the humour in the interaction having been told what to expect of Bennett.
"I heard about him in the past, they told me a lot of stories about him and I knew he was coming in," Dodd told media at a sponsorship announcement on Saturday.
"I was excited and I was nervous and thought, 'Oh, no, what's gonna happen here?' And then obviously what happened happened.
"It was funny, I enjoyed it. It was one of the moments of, 'Oh, I'm one of them players that have a story about Wayne Bennett' … it was a good introduction to him."
The Rabbitohs have struggled to land on a suitable halfback since Adam Reynolds departed the club four years ago.
With 2024 options Lachlan Ilias and Dean Hawkins joining the Dragons and Eels respectively in the off-season, Dodd may now be the most important member of South Sydney's roster.
Next season, Dodd will most likely start in the No.7 jersey alongside five-eighth Cody Walker — though he will face competition from ex-Sea Eagle Jamie Humphreys and youngster Jye Gray.
"You have to do your role consistently, and you have to take the brunt of it," Dodd said of the pressure of moving to the NRL.
"If the team is going well, you get the plaudits, and if the team is going bad, the halfback will get the downfall of that.
"That's the bit I enjoy most about being a halfback – you lead the team and you are responsible for what the team do. That's sort of what excites me.
"I've got to learn the NRL because it is a little bit different to the Super League, but that's what excites me. That's one of the main reasons I came over because I know I'll be a better player."
