The teenage rugby player set to replace Daly Cherry-Evans and silence furious Manly fans

Manly is banking on a little-known schoolboy rugby player to emerge as Daly Cherry-Evans' successor as it continues to fend off criticism for allowing young utility Jamie Humphreys to walk out the door. Manly fans are demanding answers as to why Humphreys, who impressed on his NRL debut against Newcastle on Sunday, has been let go to join South Sydney from 2025.

Teenage rugby union fly-half Joey Walsh is being positioned as the club's long-term playmaker after signing a three-year deal. Coach Anthony Seibold said: "Joey has been an elite player at schoolboy level. He was the Australian U18s rugby flyhalf and captain last year.

"We wanted to sign what we feel is one of the really elite young playmakers in either code. Joey was highly sought after by the Australian Rugby Union and other NRL clubs. He played junior rugby league in the Sydney Roosters system, so he has been playing both codes at a high level for a number of years."

Still in Year 12 at St Augustine's College in Sydney – located 20m from 4 Pines Stadium – Walsh is considered the hottest young prospect in rugby. Rugby Australia was desperate to keep him in the 15-man code but simply couldn't compete with the cash on offer in the NRL.

The Dolphins went hard for the 18-year-old, secretly flying him to Brisbane and bringing him into the dressing-room to meet coach Wayne Bennett and senior players following a recent home game. The Roosters were also in the mix after giving Walsh his start in junior reps, but the opportunity to stay and play on the northern beaches was too hard to pass up.

Jamie Humphreys to join Souths in 2025 after Manly debut

The Sea Eagles are reluctant to comment on Humphreys' departure other than to wish him well at Souths. They are prepared to cop flak from their fans in the belief Walsh will prove the best long-term replacement for Cherry-Evans.

They also have confidence in Jake Arthur developing into a regular NRL playmaker. DCE, who turns 36 in February, has a year to run on his current deal and is likely to be given the chance to extend for a further season. He will work closely with Walsh and Arthur as the Sea Eagles transition away from the only halfback they've known since 2011.

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Souths signed Humphreys weeks before his NRL debut and will use him at half or hooker next season. "Jamie is a player we have kept our eye on for a number of years and we have always been impressed by his style of play and his work ethic," Rabbitohs Head of Football, Mark Ellison, said.

"He made his first grade debut (on Sunday), scoring a try and kicking three goals, and we have seen him play a number of games in the pre-season challenge. He has always played strongly at either hooker or in the halves. His versatility is a positive for our squad and we're looking forward to having him join us for pre-season in November as he embarks on the next stage of his career in the red and green."