Jamie Humphreys: Meet footy’s newest heartthrob – as legend Andrew Johns reveals he has a man crush on the NRL’s hottest rising star
The NRL has a new star on the rise, and he’s been turning heads both on and off the field – with rugby league legend Andrew Johns revealing he’s got a new man crush.
Jamie Humphreys, the South Sydney rookie halfback, starred during the Rabbitohs’ comeback win over the Dragons on the weekend, nailing the season’s first match-winning field goal.
The playmaker, who is the son of former Manly CEO and Balmain Tigers player Stephen Humphreys, got the nod when English recruit Lewis Dodd was suspended for round one, and Souths have now notched two come-from-behind wins with Humphreys pulling the strings.
And while his performance on the pitch has been outstanding, Andrew Johns has been equally impressed by his physique, which has also drawn high praise from fans.
‘Is he single?’ Johns asked after seeing a photo of Humphreys shirtless on the Sunday Footy Show.
When told that the youngster wasn’t in a relationship Johns said: ‘Look out the DMs.’
South Sydney rookie halfback Jamie Humphreys is making his mark on the NRL with some excellent play – and his model good looks have been equally impressive with some fans
The former Manly star was expected to be a back-up at Souths this year – but has made the No.7 jersey his own with two eye-catching performances
NRL legend Andrew Johns enquired if Humphreys was single after seeing him shirtless
Johns isn’t the only one who has noticed the impressive results of Humphreys’ training regime.
‘He looks like Iron Man,’ said the halfback’s teammate Keaon Koloamatangi.
‘He’s really good, he’s not much of a talker off the field, but on the field, he talks a lot and mainly leads with his actions.’
Unwanted at Manly and signed as a back-up option for the Rabbitohs last year on a cut-price deal, Humphreys looms as the steal of the season at Souths.
‘I definitely backed myself coming here,’ Humphreys said.
‘It was something I saw before coming here as a goal, and something I want to continue to build on now.
‘I had conversations with Wayne about where he saw me, and he didn’t close the door on anything.
‘I feel really confident with where I’m at right now, and hopefully can keep leading the boys around the park.’
Humphreys starred during the Rabbitohs’ comeback win over the Dragons on the weekend, and in their win over the Dolphins in round one (pictured)
The playmaker has a rugby league pedigree as the son of former Manly CEO and Balmain star Stephen Humphreys, and grandson of Tigers star Kevin Humphreys
The youngster looms as the steal of the season at South Sydney as he keeps high-priced English recruit Lewis Dodd out of the halfback spot
The most striking aspect of Humphreys’ start has been his composure, with the Rabbitohs noting a maturity well beyond the half’s three NRL games.
The No.7 has led Souths’ general-play kicking, won two games with his goal-kicking, and barely looked fussed as he nailed Saturday’s 30-metre field goal.
‘I moved around positions there for a while at Manly, and I always felt the most comfortable at seven,’ said Humphreys, whose grandfather Kevin played for the Balmain Tigers.
‘I definitely got a fair bit of experience out of that time in (NSW) Cup, and it’s something I’ve taken into my time here.
‘But it’s probably more the training. I’ve been around a lot of good players as well for a long time, [including] Daly Cherry Evans, Kieran Foran, Luke Brooks, Cody Walker.
‘All those great halves that probably rubbed off a lot on me, and lessons I’ve taken from them probably give me a lot of confidence as well.’
So has Saturday’s match-winning field goal lit the fuse for more time in the fabled Rabbitohs No.7 jersey?
‘One hundred per cent it has,’ Humphreys said.
Humphreys is also capable of playing hooker thanks to his powerful build and skill set
‘I just want to keep winning, I’m a pretty competitive guy, and I know these other guys are as well.
‘I want to keep getting better each week, and hopefully that continues to lead to good performances and good wins for Souths.’
In 2024, Humphries won his mates thousands of dollars by scoring on debut in Manly’s match against Newcastle.
‘They all had money on it,’ Humphreys said after the match.
‘I didn’t know about that until after the game, but there were a lot of happy faces … It means everything to be able to debut here. It’s been my dream for a long time.’
