No one has been saluting him in the corridors, but newly installed South Sydney captain Luke Stuart knows someone has to make up the metres lost with the injury to Roy Asotasi.

The New Zealand frontrower averages 116 metres a game - the highest in the Rabbitohs camp. But his immediate running days are over after a season-ending knee injury against Manly last weekend.

An hour after Asotasi's year was ended officially by the club medical staff, coach Jason Taylor approached Stuart about the captaincy. That was the second shock in the same evening for the 32-year-old.

"It came as a real surprise to me after J.T. came to me. We were still all dealing with the shock of Roy," Stuart said.

There have been no high-jinks from teammates and no capital 'C's posted on his locker door. But Stuart knows the forwards have a big job on their hands to try to absorb Asotasi's loss.

"It was very sobering when we heard the news. There's nothing you can really say - it's one of those things that can happen in rugby league at any time. But it gives other opportunities for guys to have more time.

"Roy sets the standards on and off the field so there'll be no slacking off. I'll be having a chat with him this week for some tips on how he leads by example."

So who will be making up the average 116m and 26.6 tackles per game? Stuart can help since he averages 109m and 30.6 tackles.

"That's going to have to be divided up by a number of players and everyone is going to have to contribute a little bit more."

Souths are on 23 points, in 11th place but only one win outside the eight and one point adrift of five teams on 24.

Mid-season following a draw and then five losses in a row, there were rumours of player unhappiness. Taylor reportedly had some harsh words for his troops behind closed doors.

"J.T. has been great for us because he turned things around. The players have had a real good look at themselves and we've really focused on the mental side of our game and our preparation toward that," Stuart said.

"J.T. talks about being a man and doing manly things like looking at yourself and looking how to improve. He's been hard on us but it's worked."

Souths showed a bit of that resolve bouncing back from 12-0 down to beat Manly at Brookvale 36-22 last weekend.

"We responded to being well down on the scoreboard and that's the difference between this season and last season - and a big difference to a month ago," Stuart said.

The Rabbitohs have four wins from the past five starts, with the Gold Coast this Friday night at ANZ Stadium their next opponent.

For Stuart personally, this season has been quite a journey already. He reached the 200 NRL game-mark in April, was selected in his first representative team - City - in May and now captains the game's greatest club with 20 premiership titles.

"There's been some highlights along the way - this is another one. I won't get too excited, just try to play the same game," he said.

"I won't be barking orders. The only thing different I'll be doing is tossing the coin.

"The guys would be surprised if I had too much to say."