One of James Roberts’ closest confidants secretly met with Wayne Bennett to express the NSW star’s desire to reunite with the supercoach at South Sydney as the replacement for Greg Inglis.

Roberts is on the outer at Brisbane, just as the Rabbitohs are considering their centre options following the premature retirement of champion back Inglis. How much they’ll have to spend will be determined next week when the NRL decides how much, if any, of the $1.5 million remaining on Inglis’ contract will need to be absorbed into Souths’ salary cap.

Roberts began his NRL career at Redfern, making 10 first-grade appearances before sacked for the first of a series of off-field incidents that have threatened his career. However, there have been moves to bring about a homecoming after he became unsettled at Red Hill, one that would also provide an immediate replacement for Inglis.

The Herald can reveal one of Roberts’ most trusted family members recently met with Bennett in a bid to reunite him with the seven-time premiership mentor. Roberts has played his best football under Bennett, breaking into the victorious NSW side last season after getting his life and football on track under his guidance.