Rabbitohs centre duo find new clubs

One has joined a rival NRL team.

Two of the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ most talented outside backs have left the team before of the 2024 NRL season, as they have found new places to play.

 

After declaring he was taking a leave of absence from rugby league due to his mental health, Ethan Ferguson accepted a contract offer from a new team, while Josiah Karapani left the team to play for the Brisbane Broncos.

 

According to a person with knowledge of the issue, Zero Tackle can confirm that

Karapani has departed the Rabbitohs after being discovered training with the Broncos.

 

In recent days, he has also started following other Broncos players on Instagram, including Jesse Arthars,

Martin Taupau, Reece Walsh, and Benjamin Te Kura.

But Zero Tackle is trying to find out what kind of deal he signed with the Red Hill squad. Given that the team now has three spaces available on their Top 30 roster, the contract is most likely a Top 30 or supplemental one.

 

Karapani, who was raised in New Zealand, won over club officials during

the Jersey Flegg Cup, and at the beginning of the season, he was moved

up from a development contract to the Top 30 roster.

 

He played 19 games in the NSW Cup last season and was classified as the 18th man twice, but he is yet to make his NRL

debut. He ran an average of 123 running metres each game, recorded eight line

breaks, scored seven tries, and assisted on three other tries during his games.

Former teammate of Karapani’s and a member of the Rugby League World Cup team from the previous year, Campbell Graham, acknowledged to Zero Tackle at the start of the season that he tried to mentor Karapani during the pre-season and season.

 

Lachlan Ilias, the halfback, also mentioned his promise at the start of the

last campaign and has high expectations for him going forward.

 

“He is excelling in his training and has successfully led us to several opposing

sessions.” This year, you should definitely keep an eye out for him, Ilias told Fox Sports.

Not to mention, the club lost star prospect Ethan Ferguson. Although his

departure was previously announced, he has now formally committed to the 2024

season with Group Three Rugby League team Wingham Tigers.

 

Ferguson, a cousin of Shaquai and Latrell Mitchell, signed a contract with the

Rabbitohs following his negotiation for release from the Newcastle Knights.

 

“They are both outside backs, carry the ball strongly, and kick goals,” a close source of Ferguson’s said earlier this year

to Wide World of Sports, drawing parallels with Mitchell.

Ferguson, one of rugby league’s most talented centers, participated in the Knights’ SG Ball squad the previous

season, representing the Australian Schoolboys and Under-19s NSW side, and

appeared in several NSW Cup games for the Knights and Rabbitohs in 2023.

 

When his mental state began to rapidly deteriorate, he first quit the club.

 

“I’m faced with the most difficult choice I’ve ever had to make. Ferguson posted

on social media, “It’s something I never thought I would have to do, but it’s

something I’ve been thinking about for a long, long time.”

“I’ve decided to stop playing rugby league because of how rapidly my

mental health was deteriorating. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone or if I’ll return at all, but I had to take care of myself.

 

“I’ve been struggling with my mental health for a while, and I thought maybe if I ignored it and bottled everything up,

it would go away, but in reality, it simply got worse. I would want to express my

sincere gratitude to @ssfcrabbitohs for their understanding and ongoing

support as I navigate this next challenging phase of my life.

 

“I’ll always be appreciative and a bunny. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to my network of supporters fortheir

constant assistance and work. In addition, I want to take a moment to

emphasize that mental health is a serious matter and should not be treated lightly.

Asking your friends or family how they’re truly doing and having those difficult talks is important since you never know what might be going on behind closed doors.

 

Men don’t always need to be the strong one in the house; it’s acceptable for them to talk about their mental health as well. Communicate with everyone you know that you’re having difficulties; don’t let it fester inside of you and cause your life to end. Please. Simply speak.