NEW South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold is set to make his first major positional call by naming Damien Cook in the No.9 jumper with Robbie Farah expected to be left out of the red and green best 17 for round one.

After a breakout performance in the Charity Shield against the Dragons, Cook has got the jump on the one-time NSW Origin hooker who will be named on an extended bench when the Bunnies name their side on Tuesday.

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Round 20

Damien Cook in action for the Rabbitohs. Source: Getty Images

The electric Cook has proven explosive out of dummy-half with the big question mark being whether the Bunnies No.9 can punch out 80 minutes in the middle of the field.

Farah will travel with South Sydney to Perth on Tuesday but is believed to have picked up a slight tweak in his lower back which meant having a painkilling injection last Friday.

With Farah expected to miss the Bunnies best 17, young gun lock forward Cameron Murray could spend some time at dummy-half if Cook needs a rest.

Murray twinged a hamstring recently but has now returned to training and is expected to be available for Souths round one clash against the Warriors at the double-header in Perth.

New South Sydney coach Seibold has stated all summer his preference is to play a hooker who can grind out 80 minutes, giving him greater versatility on the interchange bench.

Robbie Farah of the Rabbitohs in action. Source: AAP

Seibold showed his hand in trial games against Wigan and the Dragons, with Cook getting first crack at the No.9 jumper.

Cook, 26, is entering his third season with Souths.

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