Maguire yet to decide Souths’ new No.7

South Sydney NRL coach Michael Maguire has one last opportunity to see who will be playing in the No.7 jersey in the club’s traditional opening round clash against Sydney Roosters.

Just as he’d done in the match against Warrington, Maguire gave young halves Adam Reynolds and Ryan Carr time at first receiver in Saturday night’s trial against NZ Warriors.

Straight after the 22-14 loss, the new Rabbitohs’ coach admitted that he’s still not leaning one way or the other regarding the vital selection.

Maguire said a final decision isn’t likely until after next Saturday’s Charity Shield encounter.

“I’ll look at the videos and the same next week, another trial which I’m going to go through and look at which way I want to go,” Maguire said.

“I think both of them have put their hands up and it’s going to be a tough decision for myself when it comes.”

Against the Warriors, the kicking game of Reynolds when Souths were close to the tryline caused the opposition defence some uncomfortable moments.

While Carr was the playmaker, the team looked a touch more organised but not quite as lethal in attack.

Whichever way Maguire decides to go, the chosen player will have some big shoes to fill after the departure of Chris Sandow to Parramatta during the off-season.

Local junior Reynolds is the one of the prospective duo who can go closest to matching the mercurial feats that Sandow was capable of when he wore the cardinal and myrtle colours.

The trouble with Reynolds, though, is that he’s only recently fully recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

In fact, his last game was the 2010 Toyota Cup grand final.

Maguire said he’s not looking for a Sandow clone. He said the traits he’s looking for in a halfback are fairly simple.

“Pushing the team around, kicking and doing what’s required for the team,” he said.

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