Robert Jennings' bid to end the season as the NRL's lading try-scorer has taken a hit with the Rabbitohs speedster no guarantee to return before the finals, testing the ladder leaders' depth in the outside backs.
As South Sydney grappled with the news Adam Doueihi will miss the rest of the year with an ACL tear – he has been used in the centres of late – Jennings' hamstring injury could sideline him until September.
Hamstrung: Souths winger Robert Jennings could be out until the start of the NRL finals.
It's a bitter blow for the Rabbitohs' unsung hero, who is only one try behind Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes in the race to be crowned the competition's most prolific this season.
But Jennings' chances of winning that title after a breakout year appear forlorn, with the Rabbitohs poised to confirm he will stay at the club beyond this year.
Coach Anthony Seibold will take a cautious approach with Queensland and Rabbitohs captain Greg Inglis, who will sit out a potential minor premiership showdown against the Roosters on Friday night as South Sydney's outside backs stocks are stretched to their limit.
Inglis, who took part in a Rabbitohs' skills session on Monday, is likely to return the following week against the Broncos in Brisbane.
He could potentially return to the Rabbitohs with a four-point buffer at the top of the table if they can halt a red-hot Roosters and the Sharks cause a boilover against Melbourne at AAMI Park.
Not since the two sides faced off in a winner-takes-all minor premiership clash in the final round of the 2013 season has a clash between the two old rivals meant as much.
The Roosters won on that occasion and went on to claim the premiership a month later to cap Trent Robinson's first year in charge.
Asked whether it was a different feeling playing the Roosters as opposed to other Sydney-based sides, Rabbitohs prop Tom Burgess said: "I reckon, yeah.
"It's from the public. They make a big impact. We get to see a lot of the fans and they make a big impact on the game. They make a lot of noise and they'll say, 'you can lose all year as long as you win these games'.
"I'm sure [co-owner] Russell [Crowe] will be sending his text out this week reminding the boys what it means to the public and fans. He always [sends one]. He loves it. It's a special one this week. He'll probably be treating it the same, but he's very passionate. He'll be fired up.
"We know the boys that have grown up here … [the rivalry] is deep in them. Coming from overseas, you get introduced to it and it's a great rivalry. I love it."
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