Official:Rhys Wesser signs with Souths

[Fibro_Panther]

[SIZE=-1][/SIZE]Rhys Wesser signs with South Sydney Rabbitohs
By Steve Mascord

PENRITH hero Rhys Wesser has secured an early release and agreed to a two-year deal with South Sydney.

The 29-year-old former Queensland fullback is understood to have reached an agreement with the Rabbitohs yesterday after some last-minute haggling - although club officials were tight-lipped last night.

"We have been talking to Rhys, yes, but as yet there is nothing finalised," said chief executive Shane Richardson.

"If we could get someone on board like Rhys, a member of Penrith's Dream Team and holder of all those tryscoring records, it would certainly assist what we are trying to do at the club.

"Hopefully there'll be some news soon."

Penrith chief executive Mick Leary said: "We have been talking to Rhys and his manager and all our talks have been amicable. I have heard rumours he has decided to leave but I haven't heard anything for certain."

The Daily Telegraph understands Wesser's contract for 2009 will be completely taken over by Souths, who are paying him around $200,000 a season. Richardson and Rabbitohs technical consultant John Lang were Wesser's bosses when the Panthers won the premiership in 2003. The Redfern-bound fullback starred.

Wesser and Lang also share the same agent, SFX Sports Daryl Mather.

Rockhampton-born Wesser joined the Panthers in 1998, making his debut that year against Balmain. To date he has scored 112 tries, including 25 in 2003.

Over the past two seasons Wesser has faced selection challenges from Jarrod Sammut and Lachlan Coote, holding off both to retain his fullback jumper.

He recently said he did not want to leave Penrith and had been kept out of the loop in negotiations to do so.

Leary said the club had room to move under the salary cap regardless of whether Wesser left. The signing is expected to be confirmed by a South Sydney media release this morning.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...006066,00.html

 

[African Monkey]

It's an alright signing.

 

[Sugar]

although club officials were tight-lipped last night.

Has the ink dried ?
We dont want Richo lauding the signing that hasn't really signed yet>>>>>>Lewis

2 year deal sounds good, we have limited fullback options and i think he will be an asset to the Red and Green

 

[Sugar]

Rabbitohs Sign Rhys Wesser for 2009 and 2010
07 Aug 2008

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced the signing of representative fullback Rhys Wesser for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.


Wesser, 29, has played 172 NRL games for the Penrith Panthers, scoring 112 tries since making his debut in 1998. Wesser has also represented Queensland in four matches in 2004 and 2006. Rhys was also part of John Lang’s premiership winning Panthers side in 2003.


Wesser is regarded as one of the most lethal attacking weapons in the game of Rugby League, holding the record for most tries scored for Penrith (112 to date) as well as holding three of the top four season tryscoring records at the Panthers (25 tries in 2003, 19 tries in 2006, 19 tries in 2002).


Wesser was also selected as fullback in the Panthers Team of Legends announced in 2006, named alongside players such as Brad Fittler, Greg Alexander, Royce Simmons, John Cartwright and Mark Geyer.


“This is a fantastic signing for the Club and we’re sure Rhys will be part of a team, and working in an environment, in which he can fire,” Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said.


“He has a phenomenal tryscoring strike rate, he’s a great team player and we’re sure he will do a wonderful job for us at fullback.


“I’m looking forward to seeing Rhys develop combinations with the likes of Craig Wing, Chris Sandow, Issac Luke, Nathan Merritt and Fetuli Talanoa over the next two seasons.”


Rabbitohs Head Coach Jason Taylor said: “Rhys Wesser is a quality player in all facets of fullback play and it’s really exciting to have him join us next season.


“He’s an enthusiastic player and I think he will fit in perfectly with the young backs we’ve got already.


“Our recruitment has targeted some experienced outside backs and he will do the job for us along with Colin Best next year.”


Wesser said he is excited about his move to South Sydney.


“I’m very excited to be making the move to Souths next season. I’ve been watching them for the last couple of years and I think it is a very promising Club with a lot of talented young players coming through,” Wesser said.


“I want to be part of something great at the Club and I will do everything I can to help Souths be a success.”



Biography


Name: Rhys Wesser

DOB: 31 March 1979

Junior Club: Rockhampton Brothers

Position: Fullback

Height: 174cm

Weight: 84kg

Rep Honours: Four games for Queensland 2004, 2006

Previous Clubs: Panthers 1998-2008

First Grade debut: Panthers vs Tigers, Penrith Football Stadium, 17 May 1998 (Round 10)

NRL Games: 172

NRL Tries: 112

NRL Goals: 1

NRL Points: 450

Records: All time leading tryscorer for Panthers: 112

Three of the top four season tryscoring records at Penrith: 25 tries in 2003, 19 tries in 2002, 19 tries in 2006

Fullback in the Panthers Team of Legends named in 2006

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/News/Club-Ne....9-and-2010.html

 

[lsta5838]

Congrats from a Panthers fan.

Your team looks good for next year - hopefully no injuries.

1. Wesser
2. Merritt
3. Talanoa
4. Champion
5. Best
6. Wing
7. Sandow
8. Geddes
9. Luke
10. Asotasi
11. Kidwell
12. Stuart
13. Sutton

14. Fa'longa
15. Greenfield
16. McPherson
17. Ben Lowe

 

[Zigwaa]

Good signing.

Will add a lot to the team like Peach did.

 

[NZ Warrior]

Big mistake!!!

 

[joondalup_giant]

Big mistake!!!

y's that?

i think he's a good signing & hopefully he can re-find the form of when the panthers won the comp

 

[rabs]

yeah good stuff, he's still a good player just what was neeeded

 

[cb4]

if he was 5 years younger he is wat u need

 

[krudmonk]

At least some veteran presence...

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Im happy its only a 2 year deal,and I believe 200k a season is a good price.

 

[African Monkey]

Yeah that is a good price.

 

[Appin Rabbit]

What's that saying "Age shall not weary them" I bloody hope so he's just about due for a Centrelink disability pension lets hope he can put it off for a couple years

if he was 5 years younger he is wat u need

 

[Ike E Bear]

Regardless of his age, Wesser was what the Bunnies needed for next year. A solid, experienced fullback. It's not like anyone better was on the market. I look forward to seeing Rhys in the Black Bunny jersey ... it'll suit him fine.

 

[Fibro_Panther]

What's that saying "Age shall not weary them" I bloody hope so he's just about due for a Centrelink disability pension lets hope he can put it off for a couple years

Wesser would offer more than Hegarty IMHO.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Wesser would offer more than Hegarty IMHO.

Most definately and he will be on less money than Shannon.

 

[SethGecko]

It's a good signing. Usually Souths signing older players is a disaster as they treat the bunnies like superannuation... like say Hegarty. The Bunnies are the English Super League of the NRL...... but Best and Wesser, I have a feeling they'll do the job.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

It's a good signing. Usually Souths signing older players is a disaster as they treat the bunnies like superannuation... like say Hegarty. The Bunnies are the English Super League of the NRL...... but Best and Wesser, I have a feeling they'll do the job.

Seth,we could have done well with them both last nite.