Broncos vs Souths Suncorp Stadium, Friday 7.40pm

[Newcastlerabbit]

Match Day Information: Broncos v Rabbitohs, Round 8


Tue 22nd April, 11:52AM
A A

Broncos v Rabbitohs
Friday 25 April 2014
5:30pm - Gates open
5:40pm- Holden Cup Kick Off
8:00pm – NRL Kick Off
This Friday 25 April the Rabbitohs head to Brisbane to take on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Rabbitohs Members and supporters are urged to be there and get behind their team this Friday when they line up against the Broncos.
HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS
Click here to pre purchase tickets to this weekend’s ANZAC DAY match!
Note: Rabbitohs Away Supporter Bay 317 is currently exhausted. Patrons wishing to sit near Rabbitohs supporters should purchase tickets into the overflow bay 517.
MERCHANDISE
On Friday, the South Sydney Merchandise van will be set up at Suncorp Stadium from gates open to 30 minutes after full time. The van will be located in the Northern Plaza, which is near Caxton Street. The Merchandise Team will have a range of exclusive products only available to purchase from the Rabbitohs Megastore. Make sure you bring along your Membership card or keyring to get the 10% Member’s discount.
MEET THE TEAM
The NRL Rabbitohs squad will be available to thank our QLD Members and supporters in an exclusive meet and greet signing session the morning after the game.

The team will meet and greet members and supporters to show their appreciation for your support during the season.

Where: Bastille Room, Sofitel Hotel, 249 Turbot Street, Brisbane
When: Saturday 26 April 2014
Time: 11am-12pm
As a 2014 Rabbitohs Member you will receive priority access at this event. This will be a fantastic opportunity to get up close with your favourite Rabbitohs player and grab an autograph.
TRANSPORT INFORMATION
Parking
On game days, parking restrictions apply in the local area surrounding the Stadium. Fifteen minute parking limits apply in most restricted areas unless otherwise signed. On-the-spot fines will be issued to offending motorists. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Public Transport

Present your game day ticket to receive free public transport to and from the stadium aboard Queensland Rail City Network trains or Brisbane Transport buses. This free public transport is available four hours prior to kick-off and four hours after the full-time siren of the main game.
Brisbane Transport Bus Services
Patrons can catch regular timetabled services. In addition, special bus services from the City, Carindale, Eight Mile Plains/Mt Gravatt (Garden City), Chermside and The Gap run direct to the Stadium at regular intervals from two hours before kick-off. At the end of the game, for a one hour period, high frequency bus services will operate.
For more information about public transport options to the Stadium on event days, visit the Translink website www.translink.com.au or call 131230.
Queensland Rail City Network Services
Milton and Roma Street are the closest stations for patrons travelling to and from the Stadium. Regular timetabled services and any additional services run to and from both stations.
Please visit www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30 for full game day bus and train timetables and details of any track works or service disruptions.

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/22/match_day_information_broncos_v_rabbitohs_round_8.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

1. Inglis
2. Merritt
3. Walker
4. Auva'a
5. Goodwin
6. Sutton
7. Reynolds
8. G. Burgess
9. Api
10. Tyrrell
11. Turner
12. Teo
13. S. Burgess

14. McInnes
15. Clark
16. McQueen
17. L. Burgess

18. Reddy
19. Lowe
20. Picker

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Brisbane Signing Session this Saturday!


Wed 23rd April, 12:32PM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss

The South Sydney Rabbitohs squad will be on hand for a signing session on Saturday 26 April, the day after our ANZAC Day clash against the Broncos.
Members will gain priority access to this event, so please ensure you bring along your Member card to enter through our Member queue. It is strictly one item to be signed per person.
When: Saturday 26 April
Where: Sofitel Hotel, Brisbane Central
Time: 11.00am – 12.00pm
*Please ensure you arrive early to avoid disappointment as the players will need to leave at 12pm sharp. Non-Members will only gain access to this event after all Members have entered.
WILL YOU STAND ABOVE THE REST? Join now in order to attend!
Renewing or joining on a Membership has never been easier. Don’t forget the affordable Rolling Rabbit Payment Plan option where you can pay for your Membership over monthly instalments. Will you be our 32,000th Member?
WEB: membership.rabbitohs.com.au/
PHONE: Membership Team on 1300 SOUTHS (1300 768 847)
IN PERSON: Visit the Membership Team at Level 4 261-265 Chalmers Street Redfern (M-F 9am-5pm)
Up The Rabbitohs!


http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/23/brisbane_signing_session_this_saturday_.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

http://bit.ly/1gsbaDu


Broncos v Rabbitohs preview

By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent
NRL.com
1:00pm Wed 23rd April, 2014




Broncos v Rabbitohs
Suncorp Stadium
Friday 8pm


Is this a clash between a team on the rise and one that's on a slide? Is it the re-emergence of a powerhouse in Brisbane and the temporary closing of a Rabbitohs premiership window that only opens once every odd decade?

If not for a gut-wrenching Trent Hodkinson field goal on Good Friday these two teams would have entered this one with remarkably similar records but as it is, the Broncos are the side well entrenched in the top eight and growing in confidence.

After their polished performance against the Knights, Brisbane are still without Sam Thaiday due to a calf injury, while the Rabbitohs welcome back Ben Te'o and George Burgess, two heavy hitters who would have been handy against the big Bulldogs pack last week.

The two halves will have critical roles to play, with the improving Ben Hunt looking to string together three consecutive fine games, while Adam Reynolds has been struggling to ignite South Sydney's right-edge attack, the ball often dying in his hands as the defence rushes up.

Even though they didn't come away with the two competition points, there was plenty of courage in South Sydney's display against the Bulldogs as they battled on gamely without the use of Apisai Koroisau, Dave Tyrrell and Kyle Turner at various stages. Coach Michael Maguire often espouses the values of "working hard for each other" and while ever the Rabbitohs do that they will remain competitive.

It's a characteristic that the Broncos have re-discovered and has been the cornerstone of their defensive resolve that has netted them four wins from their opening seven games.


It's the two most well-supported teams in the competition playing on Anzac Day in front of 50,000 people at the best rectangular rugby league stadium in the world ... Yeah, this is going to be big.

Watch Out Rabbitohs: For a guy working through difficult personal issues on the back of ankle surgery and being asked to play a slightly different role at a new club, Ben Barba is giving Broncos fans the hint that they may soon to be able to stand on the banks of the Brisbane River and proudly proclaim: "He's back!"

Coming off a night against the Titans that all fullbacks dread yet know they will eventually endure, Barba was superb at both ends of the field against the Knights and was a key reason that the Broncos' attack looked the sharpest it has for a couple of years.

His pace to get on the outside of a defender and perfectly timed hand-off created the space for Matt Gillett to charge through for the first try of the game, he scored his first for his new club when he backed up some ad-lib footy down the left-hand side, then sparked a try for Dale Copley by running around Chris Houston and drawing Tyrone Roberts out of the line before setting Justin Hodges free.

If Barba delivers a similar display against South Sydney, Broncos fans will rock Suncorp in a way they haven't since Darren Lockyer's heroic farewell three years ago.

Watch Out Broncos: John Sutton debuted as a centre against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium way back in 2004 and after a brief flirtation with life in the forwards to start 2014, the most capped Rabbitoh of all time is back where he belongs at five-eighth.

His powerful running game and innate ability to get an offload away are naturally suited to a life lived on rugby league's edges and the improved form of South Sydney in recent weeks is in large part due to his return to the No.6 jersey.

Last week against the Bulldogs, Sutton laid on the try for Sam Burgess and then powered over himself to give his side an advantage they were unable to maintain until the 80th minute. He has a wonderful combination with Greg Inglis and Nathan Merritt and South Sydney are a better team when Plays To Watch: While Josh Hoffman showed some nice touches on the left edge against Newcastle, it is when the Broncos shift to their right that they look most dangerous.


Barba is playing effectively as a second five-eighth and his pure pace puts the opposition defence in doubt and creates opportunities for his outside men. He is developing a lethal combination where he brings Matt Gillett back under and has a burgeoning partnership with good mate Justin Hodges.

For the Rabbitohs – other than pure muscle up the middle – the go-to play late in each half is some quick interplay between Sutton, Inglis and Merritt. Young hooker Koroisau is growing in confidence and has the skill to hold the markers up long enough to give Sutton time close to the line. A quick inside pass to a flying Inglis is hard to stop at the best of times and with Merritt in support it's a play designed to test any tiring defensive line.

Where It Will Be Won: In 2014 the Broncos have become a team who are happy to take it to the death and after a couple of tough losses discovered how to close one out against the Knights. Under Michael Maguire the Rabbitohs have been a team who have almost dared opposition teams to go with them before eventually using their star power at the back to provide the winning edge.

In order to remain in the contest until the very end you need a good completion rate and it's an area that South Sydney have been below par in over the opening seven weeks of the season. Heading into Round 8 their 95 incomplete sets were the most of any team in the NRL, a stat for which the Broncos are currently ranked equal ninth alongside the Bulldogs.

It may not be glamorous but complete sets through the middle of the ruck will decide this one.

The History: Played 31; Broncos 22, Rabbitohs 8, Drawn 1. The Rabbitohs will have to create a piece of history for meetings between these two clubs to win on Friday night, as they have never won two consecutive games against the Broncos. The Rabbitohs were convincing 26-12 winners in front of more than 39,000 at Suncorp in Round 8 12 months ago but victories since 1988 have been few and far between. Having defeated the highly-fancied Brisbane team 27-26 in the 1994 Tooheys Challenge Final in Albury, South Sydney fans had to wait until June 10, 2006 to again inflict defeat on the Broncos, and they have only four wins from 17 total clashes at Suncorp.

What Are The Odds: Punters investing at Sportsbet.com.au are tipping another upset here, with more money coming for the Broncos as $2.03 outsiders despite the fact they have drifted from $1.84 over the past two weeks. Rabbitohs are $1.79.

Match Officials: Referee - Gavin Badger; Assistant Referee - Grant Atkins; Touch Judges - Nick Beashel and Rickey MacFarlane; Video Referees - Bernard Sutton and Luke Patten.

Televised: Channel Nine – Live from 7.30pm (Qld and NSW).

The Way We See It: Six weeks ago this was a game Souths fans would have pencilled in as a win but there are plenty of reasons to suggest that the Broncos are the form team heading into this one.

They were clinical in disposing of the Knights last week and should have notched wins against the defending premiers (Roosters) and the high-flying Titans. They boast an attitude in defence that enables teams to win more than they lose. The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, are a team who tried to reinvent themselves but are now morphing back into the team that came within one game of a grand final the past two years.

It shapes as a good test of where both teams are at but the big home crowd may be enough to get the Broncos home. Brisbane by four points.

http://www.nrl.com/broncos-v-rabbitohs-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/77842/default.aspx

 

[Robbie 12]

I was just thinking is souths going to have Anzac style jersey for this game like other clubs have in the pasted ?

 

[Appin Rabbit]

Souths by 20

 

[Zigwaa]

Merritt dropped to NSW Cup this week. Alex Johnston to debut in his place.

I feel for Merritt and hope he can work his way back into first grade, but he hasn't been playing well this year. Good on Madge for making the tough call.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ra...rritt-to-nsw-cup/story-fndv36md-1226894844193

 

[Zigwaa]

I was just thinking is souths going to have Anzac style jersey for this game like other clubs have in the pasted ?

Probably just some embroidered wording on the jersey like the do with mileston games etc. No a big fan of the ANZAC jerseys as the majority of them come off as tacky.

 

[hunters]

Merritt dropped to NSW Cup this week. Alex Johnston to debut in his place.

I feel for Merritt and hope he can work his way back into first grade, but he hasn't been playing well this year. Good on Madge for making the tough call.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ra...rritt-to-nsw-cup/story-fndv36md-1226894844193

Been a long time coming now. Congrats to Johnstone and hopefully Merritt can work his way back to form - we will need him while Inglis plays Origin.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Been a long time coming now. Congrats to Johnstone and hopefully Merritt can work his way back to form - we will need him while Inglis plays Origin.

He has got his chance now,looking for a big game from him.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire fronted the rugby league media today (Thursday) ahead of tomorrow's ANZAC Day clash against the Broncos in Brisbane.
The Rabbitohs will have a big challenge ahead of them playing on ANZAC Day in front of a vocal Brisbane crowd, but Maguire admits it's a challenge his team is looking forward to.
"We're actually looking forward to it," said Madge.
"Obviously it's a great day on ANZAC Day and we're looking forward to a big crowd up there."
"We've got quite an affiliation with the Defence Forces and we've got some good friends in the two Commando's out at Holsworthy - they play a big part of what we do at Souths. So to be able to play on ANZAC Day and represent those guys who have done a little bit of work with us - they're very close with us."
To watch the full interview, please press play on the video player.

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/24/rabbitohs_raw_michael_maguire_rd_8_2014.html

 

[Robbie 12]

Probably just some embroidered wording on the jersey like the do with mileston games etc. No a big fan of the ANZAC jerseys as the majority of them come off as tacky.

Well I won't mind if they did an army kamuflase in this years heritage jersey ...in the green part of the jersey

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire drops Nathan Merritt to NSW Cup

• by: Josh Massoud
• From: The Daily Telegraph
• 6 hours ago April 24, 2014 1:07PM

The Rabbitohs have dropped Nathan Merritt to NSW Cup. Source: News Corp Australia
SOUTH Sydney have dropped a selection bombshell ahead of tomorrow night’s clash against Brisbane, dropping top try-scorer Nathan Merritt to NSW Cup.
The veteran winger, who broke the club’s all-time try scoring record two weeks ago, did not join his teammates when they arrived at Sydney airport to fly north this afternoon.
Young winger Alex Johnston appeared instead and is expected to make his debut before a massive Anzac Day crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
Merritt is also off contract at the end of the year, and his demotion raises questions over whether Souths will re-sign him.
Coach Michael Maguire has made a reputation for dropping big names, but Merritt’s axing is arguably the most sensitive.
The 30-year- old earned huge praise after breaking Benny Wearing’s 81-year-old record against Penrith, the local junior crossing for his 144th try for Souths.
“We’ve decided to make a change there, we have Joel back and Alex Johnston is in the squad so I will have to make a decision there,” Maguire said.
“It’s purely a decision made on form.”
Despite losing to the Bulldogs following a late field goal from Trent Hodkinson, Maguire says he’s been relatively happy with how his side have performed in their past three matches.
“The last three weeks, our form has been quite good,” he said. “Prior to that, we were pretty disappointed with our performances. We were unlucky against Canterbury, we had a lot going on the sideline with injuries and, had we been a bit smarter at the end, we could have pulled it off.
“At halftime, I had no one on the bench but the boys put their hands up and almost won the game.”
Merritt has also made the second most appearances for Souths, just one game behind John Sutton.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/ra...rritt-to-nsw-cup/story-fndv36md-1226894844193

 

[oikee]

The Rabbits are falling apart at more than the seams.
Burgess lost to rugby, his younger bro's probably not far behind him.
Merritt fallen fowl of favour.
Now Ben Teo seeing the light and off to French Rugby.
They just bought a broken down injury prone Stewart, so what is left.

A good thrashing on Anzac day and the final straw will be Inglis deciding to pull up stumps once he realised that he made a huge mistake not signing at the Broncos.
The empire is crumbling boys, crumbling i tell ya.

 

[GI Cordial]

The Rabbits are falling apart at more than the seams.
Burgess lost to rugby, his younger bro's probably not far behind him.
Merritt fallen fowl of favour.
Now Ben Teo seeing the light and off to French Rugby.
They just bought a broken down injury prone Stewart, so what is left.

A good thrashing on Anzac day and the final straw will be Inglis deciding to pull up stumps once he realised that he made a huge mistake not signing at the Broncos.
The empire is crumbling boys, crumbling i tell ya.

We will let our Team do the talking tonight.

 

[souths1908]

Any late mail for the team. Johnston or Reddy?

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Rabbits Beat Broncos in ANZAC Day Thriller

Words: Tom Skolarikis I Photos: Col Whelan – Nrlphotos.com
Fri 25th April, 10:11PM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have stolen victory in the dying minutes of the game from the Brisbane Broncos in an ANZAC Day classic in front of 44,122 at Suncorp Stadium this evening (Friday).
To watch all the highlights, please click here.
To watch the post-match press-conference, please click here.
With both sides locked at 26 apiece with two minutes remaining, a penalty to the Rabbitohs allowed halfback Adam Reyniolds to kick a 40 metre penalty goal to take the match. But the match was far more than just a thrilling finish.
The Rabbitohs raced out to a 14-0 lead after just 15 minutes – including a Greg Inglis try that is sure to feature in the end of year try of the year reel – but the Broncos quickly got back into the match, scoring three tries off the back of 10 straight sets.
After blowing good field position early with a mistake, the Rabbitohs got back inside the Broncos’ red zone, mounting a well-orchestrated play that saw Greg Inglis break through and pass onto Apisai Koroisau – the young Fijian putting a huge fend on Justin Hodges to grab his side’s first try and his first try in the top grade. Adam Reynolds added the extras from right next to the posts to make it six nil after eight minutes.
A Broncos mistake just one set later right on their own try-line put the Rabbitohs in perfect attacking position, and it was Alex Johnston this time who benefited just nine minutes in to his top grade career – taking an Adam Reynolds chip kick to also grab his first try in the corner. Reynolds’ conversion attempt was waved away leaving the score at 10-0.
The Rabbitohs continued to look dangerous, but it was Greg Inglis who outshone them all in the 15th minute off the back of a failed Ben Barba chip kick. Inglis took the erroneous kick before racing almost 80 metres – beating six defenders – to score a brilliant individual try. Reynolds again failed to convert to make it 14 points in 15 minutes for the red and greens.
Another Broncos mistake at the 20 minute mark almost allowed Souths to go over again. But despite a purposeful raid from the red and greens, Luke Burgess was unable to hold onto the pill with the line all but open.
Just minutes later, Adam Reynolds then looked to attack yet again, this time with a grubber-kick into the in-goal. Dylan Walker swooped onto the ball and looked to score, but the video-referee deemed an Ben Te’o had knocked on in an earlier attempt at the ball.
After 25 minutes of play, the Broncos finally got on the board when a rare Greg Inglis mistake allowed Andrew McCullough to plant the ball down out wide. Corey Parker failed to convert making the score 14-4 in Souths’ favour.
Lachlan Maranta added to the Broncos’ score-card with a try on the side-line, and with Corey Parker’s conversion, the Rabbitohs found themselves just four points ahead.
The Broncos’ Matt Gillett crossed the line in the 36th minute, but despite being held in goal, the Brisbane back-rower got the ball down to grab the lead with Ben Hunt’s conversion, 16-14 at half-time.
On the resumption, McCullough managed a sneaky try from dummy-half, catching the Rabbitohs napping in defence. Hunt converted to make it 22-14 in the home-side’s favour.
With the Rabbitohs finally back on the Broncos side of half-way, two penalties gifted an opportunity and George Burgess took advantage – the rampaging forward slicing through the Broncos defence to score a much-needed try. Reynolds converted to make it a two-point ball game at 22-20.
A penalty for hands in the ruck from Sam Burgess gave the Broncos another shot, and it proved costly for the Rabbitohs as Jack Reed capitalised with a four-pointer to make it 26-20.
With the game in the balance, a one on one strip from Chris McQueen allowed the Rabbitohs to attack the Brisbane line. A decoy play then allowed Kirisome Auva’a to slide over for a crucial four-pointer. Reynolds landed the pressure kick from short range to lock the game up with seven minutes left.
The game reached fever-pitch as the Broncos struggled to get into position to land a field-goal, but Sam Burgess charged the ball down, before getting a penalty for a strip giving Adam Reynolds a shot from 40 metres out. Reynolds showed great composure to slot it, regaining them the lead at 28-26 and a famous victory.

Rabbitohs 28 (Apisai Koroisau, Alex Johnston, Greg Inglis, George Burgess,tries; Adam Reynolds 3 goals)
Defeated
Broncos 26 (Andrew McCullough 2, Lachlan Maranta, Matt Gillett, Jack Reed tries; Corey Parker 1 Ben Hunt 1 goals)

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/25/rabbits_beat_broncos_in_anzac_day_thriller.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/25/post_match_press_conference_rd_8_2014.html

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/04/26/post_match_reaction_michael_maguire_rd_8_2014.html