If the written job description for a five-eighth could be translated into video format, Brad Fittler believes Cody Walker’s game against the Warriors on Saturday afternoon would match it perfectly.
It wasn’t the fact he scored four tries, it was the four different ways that Walker scored them that typified an incredibly complete performance and made the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach sit up and take notice.
On top of that, he set up a try to lock the scores up at 24-all before his fourth try sealed the result.
“If you ever ask what a five-eighth’s job is, you watch Cody’s game,” Fittler said.
“He kicked a ball for himself and scored, he supported up through the middle and supported his hooker and scored, he pushed into a hole off the hooker and scored, and then he took the line on himself.
“They’re the things you want a five-eighth to do and he was absolutely brilliant.
“He scored when they needed it, he got two tries right at the death to win the game so a great game by Cody Walker, I was really impressed.”
Walker and Damien Cook were instrumental in digging the Rabbitohs out of a hole against the Warriors, overcoming a 24-12 deficit with 18 minutes on the clock.
They went down to the Sea Eagles last week but fought hard against the Dragons and Titans after an ultra-impressive performance against the Roosters in Round 1.
Fittler questioned if they could maintain their form after the loss of some talented outside backs but suggested the freakish ability of players like Walker would ensure they would still be a force this year.
“I feel like they’ve dropped a little bit,” Fittler said.
“They’ve missed a few players with Braidon Burns, obviously Greg Inglis they’re going to miss his experience, so they’re working with some less experienced players.
“But when they’re scoring a couple of tries at the death to win the game, that’s always helping.”
