Turner's surprise audition at left centre

The word came down to the Rabbitohs bench, where forwards Kyle Turner and Ethan Lowe were sitting, that someone needed to go out and play for injured centre Braidon Burns.

Neither player had played or trained much in the left centre position during the lead-up to the 2019 Telstra Premiership season.

"I played a bit of centre in the 20s but nothing of much substance or consistency," Turner told NRL.com after the 28-20 win over the Titans last Sunday.

Lowe had only arrived late to the Souths set-up after leaving the Cowboys, where he had played mainly back-row and was a back-up goalkicker.

Burns hobbled to the sideline with left hamstring and ankle issues and had to be medi-cabbed off.

"I didn't see exactly what happened but then I saw that Burnsie was down and putting up his hand. I knew then it'd be pretty bad," Turner said.

"So Ethan Lowe and I had had a joke as we were sitting on the bench and the trainers said 'One of you boys get ready'.

"We looked at each other thinking is it you or me? And then they said 'Kyle get out there'."

So for the remaining 56 minutes of the game, Turner was Souths' left centre standing inside of young winger Campbell Graham.

"I didn't expect it. But anything happens in footy, so if you're needed out there at any moment you need to be able to do the job," Turner said.

"I did one or two sessions as a fill-in [centre] but not much at all in the pre-season.

"There's a lot of defensive work at centre that's quite a challenge as you have to make quick decisions. So if I get to play there again I'll have to nail that down.

"The boys really worked with me and Cody [Walker] was talking a lot helping me out there.

"I've still got to work on a few opposition kicks and that, with my defensive positioning. But other than that I like playing there."

Dane Gagai has been named by coach Wayne Bennett at left centre for the round four match against Manly at Lottoland on Saturday afternoon.

But Turner is on the bench again, making a welcome return to first grade after an up-and-down 2018, where he only played one NRL game after 21 in 2017 and 23 in 2016.

"If the team needs me there I'm happy to play anywhere again," Turner said.

"I want to play football for this team so if they need me on the bench or in the centres then I'm happy to be there.

"Honestly whatever the coach wants, I'll do."

One benefit last weekend of his short-notice appearance at centre was that he had the best 'seat' in the house for Brown's spectacular 51st minute try.

Walker had launched a gem of a corner kick that bounced just inside the dead-ball line. But Brown also had perfect timing and arrived to ground it just centimetres from the chalk.

"He is a special talent Campbell," Turner said.

"To see that put down right in front of me was something special. He's a great talker, great kid, strong player. I'd love the chance to play more with him."