NRL: Wayward half gave Souths the runaround

Chris Sandow of the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

South Sydney bowed out of the finals race after halfback Chris Sandow mysteriously disappeared for 48 hours leading into the two most important games of the season.

As the Bunnies tried to ride a wave of momentum into the top eight, Sandow went AWOL from training for two days, according to Sydney's Sunday Telegraph. Just over 24 hours after guiding the Rabbitohs to a golden-point win over North Queensland in round 24, South Sydney officials were unable to locate their halfback.

Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson has repeatedly denied there was an issue, but the Sunday Telegraph has been assured that not even his team-mates knew of Sandow's whereabouts. The halfback eventually returned to training midway through the week, but it was hardly ideal preparation leading into their clash with the Broncos in Brisbane.

The Rabbitohs were beaten at Suncorp Stadium before being ambushed in a first-half onslaught by Newcastle on Friday night.

"I've got no comment to make about that. What I will say is that Chris Sandow is an inherently decent person. He wants to be loved and he's a loveable character," Richardson said. "There's been times when he's had his ups and downs with the club - as most players do."

Signed with Parramatta for next season on a deal worth A$2m over four years, the latest development reinforces the job the Eels have to keep Sandow in check. Questions continue to be raised about some of the company Sandow keeps outside of rugby league and his on-going gambling problems.

For all the instinct, individual brilliance and X-factor Sandow brings with the football in his hands, there is a fair degree of off-field baggage. Last year, the Rabbitohs were forced to apologise to the publican at The Pavilion Hotel after Sandow became involved in a dispute with him while playing poker machines and threatened to return with a gun.

Despite his off-field shortcomings, there is something infectious about this typically cheeky halfback. When approached about why he went missing, he was predictably jovial.

"I think I gave Richo a few grey hairs and I think I might have given Langy a few grey hairs, too," Sandow said. "But I love Souths and I'll always be happy for them giving me a go at trying to make the halfback spot my own. Up until they came along, no one else would give me a go."

Before cracking the big time with Souths in 2008, Sandow had his contract torn up by the Gold Coast for repeated off-field indiscretions.

His departure remains a sore point amongst the Rabbitohs faithful, but the club argues the money they saved allowed them to re-sign David Tyrell, Nathan Peats and Chris McQueen.

Meanwhile Newcastle Knights veteran centre Adam MacDougall says Newcastle have nothing to fear and even less to lose against the Storm in Melbourne next Sunday if that's the way the finals cards fall today. Barring a major upset by the Roosters tonight, Melbourne will clinch the minor premiership and set up a showdown with Newcastle in the first week of the play-offs.

History, however, suggests the odds will be heavily stacked against the Knights. In the 12 years the top-eight McIntyre system has operated, only two teams have progressed from eighth spot. But it has happened twice in the past three seasons and the Storm were a victim in 2008 when they were upset by the Warriors 18-15 in Melbourne.

"They're a great side and it will be a massive challenge for sure," MacDougall said. "We know that. But we'll have nothing to fear in going down there to take them on if that's how it pans out. I'm already looking forward to it. It's going to be a mental thing. I reckon a lot of teams are beaten before they even hop on the plane.

"But there will be no pressure on us. No one will give us a hope. There was more pressure on us last night against Souths than there will be in Melbourne next Sunday.

Knights coach Rick Stone has injury concerns over Matt Hilder (head gash) and Siuatonga Likiliki (hamstring). He is also unlikely to know until early this week if centre Junior Sa'u is any chance of returning from injury. Hilder re-opened his nasty head wound against Souths and needed 20 further staples inserted but Stone has refused to rule him out.