Vs Canberra ANZ Sunday 2.00pm

[Newcastlerabbit]

Round 4: Rabbitohs Team vs Raiders

1. Greg Inglis
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Joel Reddy
4. Bryson Goodwin
5. Lote Tuqiri
6. Dylan Walker
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Dave Tyrell
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Sam Burgess
11.Chris McQueen
12. Ben Lowe
13. John Sutton

14. Ben Te'o
15. Joe Picker
16. Kyle Turner
17. Nathaniel Neale/Cameron McInnes

​

 

[Achillies]

That's easily the weakest side we've fielded in Madges time here. Looks like Teo will playing in the front row when he comes off the bench. Surely Auva'a is a better option than hacks like Tuqiri and Reddy. No second hooking option is interesting! Is Koroisau up to playing the entire 80?

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Match Day Information: Rabbitohs v Raiders, Round 4


Tue 25th March, 01:33PM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss

ALCATEL onetouch presents
Rabbitohs v Raiders
Sunday 30 March 2014
11.40am - Gates open
11.45am- Holden Cup Kick Off
2:00pm – NRL Kick Off
Rabbitohs Members and supporters, you asked for it...Sunday afternoon footy is back!
As the Rabbitohs only Sunday game at ANZ Stadium in 2014 Rabbitohs Members and supporters are urged to get behind their team on Sunday 30 March when they line up against the very best the nation’s capital can muster.
Free rail transport is included with all tickets to 2014 NRLTelstra Premiership games at ANZ Stadium.
What else is back...Kid’s on the field!
To celebrate our only Sunday game at ANZ Stadium in 2014, kids of young and old will be invited onto the field after the NRL clash for ‘KIDS ON THE FIELD’ with their friends and family. This is your chance to take to the field straight after the NRL players!*
*Kids on the field is subject to weather conditions and the discretion of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and ANZ Stadium

It’s battle of the Rabbitohs and Raiders Family Fans!
Show your support for the Rabbitohs and go into the draw to take part in a pre-match Family Relay on the ANZ Stadium pitch!
To enter, simply email your name, contact number and ‘funniest family footy pic’ to thumper@rabbitohs.com.au to go into the draw. We need two (2) Rabbitohs families and two (2) Raiders families to show their support.
The winning relay family will take home an ALCATEL onetouch Tablet plus a Merch Pack!
Competition ends Thursday 27 March. Terms & Conditions apply.
Win a place in the ALCATEL onetouch team and take on the team of ‘89 captained by Mario at half time!
ALCATEL ONETOUCH are giving 7 lucky winners the chance to play a game of touch footy on the field at ANZ Stadium against Rabbitohs legends, at the upcoming home match against the Canberra Raiders on Sunday 30 March .

Captained by Mario Fenech, the team will include some of the Rabbitohs greatest legends from the ‘89 Minor Premiership winning team, lacing up the boots for another big game for the mighty red and green.

All you have to do is enter on Alcatel’s facebook page here: http://on.fb.me/1gdEnph - to go in the running. This is a once in a lifetime experience for any passionate Rabbitohs fan, so ENTER NOW for your chance to win!
Want to watch the Rabbitohs take on the Warriors in Perth?
Rabbitohs Members who attend the game on Sunday will go into the draw to win one of two trips for 2 to the Rabbitohs v Warriors match in Round 13 at nib Stadium in Perth including:
· Return economy airfares for two people from Sydney to Perth
· 1 night twin share accommodation
· Return airport to hotel transfers in Perth
The two lucky winners will be contacted by a Rabbitohs Staff member. For Terms and Conditions please click here.
Pre-purchase To Save Time & Money
Make sure you take advantage of our special $40 general admission family pass offer for 2 adults & 2 kids to this Family Fun Day Sunday and don’t forget you save up to $10 per ticket across all categories* when you pre-purchase your tickets to Sunday’s clash against the Raiders!
*Does not include the already discounted $40 Family Pass
How to purchase tickets:
Online: Click here
Phone: 132 849
In Person: Click here
Colgate Kidzone is Super Charged!!
This Family Fun Day Sunday the Colgate Kidzone will be super charged. With additional activities including the Try Scorer Bungee, Airbrush Tattoos and Kids Zoo all part of this Sunday’s Kidszone, there’s even more reasons to come and join in the fun!
Bring the kids along to the South West Terrace (accessed via the stairs at Aisle 134) as well as the Southern Concourse (behind GA seating) from Gates Open until NRL kick off to enjoy the following FREE entertainment and activities for kids of all ages!
Kidzone Activities include:
· Balloon Artists
· Jumping Castle
· Try Scorer Bungee
· Reggie Rabbit Appearance
· Player Autograph session
· Colouring-in competition
· Face painting
· Airbrush Tattoos
· Caricature Artist
· Kids Zoo
IMPORTANT MEMBER INFORMATION
Box Office H
Rabbitohs Ticket Box Office H will be open from 11.30am. All members who purchased from Thursday 27 March with access to this game are required to pick up their membership card from this window. Please give yourself plenty of time to collect your Membership card.
Reminder on Change of General Admission Area
There have been some changes to the ANZ Stadium seating map in 2014.

Category 1 Reserved seating area at 2014 Rabbitohs games at ANZ Stadium has been extended. Therefore the General Admission areas have now been adjusted to Aisles 113 – 125 at the North end and Aisles 136 – 102 at the South end of ANZ Stadium. This is a slight adjustment to the bays listed for General Admission in 2013.
Burrow
Please be advised that only Members of the Burrow and Burrow ticketholders will be permitted access to sit in the Burrow in Bay 110-1, 111-1. Anyone who wishes to sit with the Burrow will need to purchase or upgrade to a Burrow Membership, or purchase a Burrow ticket through Ticketek.com.au/Rabbitohs. General Admission Members and General Admission ticketholders do not have access to the Burrow. Please note Burrow Members are not permitted access to the Corporate seating in The Zone Boxes.
Members Post Match Function
Be sure to get along to the Rabbitohs Members Bar on Sunday afternoon following the match with great entertainment for all Members. This will take place in 'The Cauldron' (North West Terrace of ANZ Stadium). Please note the 2014 key ring will not permit Rabbitohs Members to gain entry to the post match function in the Members Bar, a 2014 Rabbitohs Membership card must be presented to gain entry. Strictly for Members only.

Transport Information – Free Rail Transport Included with Tickets or Ticketed Membership
In a special arrangement for NRL fans, all tickets to Telstra NRL Premiership games at ANZ Stadium in 2014 include entry and return travel on Sydney Train services.
Please note that tickets include travel on rail services only and must be pre-purchase prior to travelling.
Trains

Free rail transport is included with all tickets to 2014 NRL Telstra Premiership games at ANZ Stadium, meaning that Ticketed Members with access to this game, as well as pre-purchased ticket holders, will be able to travel free of charge on rail to Sydney Olympic Park.
Two direct services will leave Central station at 1:00pm and 1:15pm, stopping at Redfern, Strathfield and Olympic Park.

Those travelling from other locations should change trains at Lidcombe where a direct shuttle train operates every 10 minutes.
Sydney Trains are running to a regular Sunday timetable.
For further timetable information, click here.
For the most up-to-date information on trackwork and replacement services, please click here.
Buses
Sydney Buses is operating to a regular Sunday timetable. Route 525 operates between Parramatta and Burwood via Sydney Olympic Park.
Click here to use the 131 500 Trip Planner to help plan your journey. It will give you up-to-date train and bus timetable information.
Ferries
Sydney Ferries will operate to a regular Sunday timetable. Should services to Sydney Olympic Park be full, fans can take a train from Circular Quay Station.
ANZ Stadium is approximately a 40 minute walk from Sydney Olympic Park Wharf. There is a connecting 526 bus to the Stadium.
Click here for more information on transport to the Rabbitohs v Raiders match at ANZ Stadium.
Parking
Fans are strongly encouraged to leave the car at home and take advantage of the additional direct train services in operation.
However, casual parking is available in the precinct. Those driving should allow plenty of time to get to Sydney Olympic Park, find a parking space and get to their seat for the game. Please also consider the impact of peak hour traffic when planning your trip.
Sydney Olympic Park Authority have developed an option to pre-purchase precinct P1 and P4 parking passes directly via their website. The system enables patrons attending events in the precinct to purchase parking passes in advance, print these at home and scan them at the respective parking station upon entry.
For those who plan to drive, pre-booking your parking space is highly recommended, particularly for this event due to the traffic expected in the precinct. You can pre-book parking via:

• Sydney Olympic Park Authority, click here.
• Ticketek, click here or call 132 849.

Please note that shuttle bus services will not be in operation for all events where P4 is available for purchase.
For event parking information, please click here.
2014 Rabbitohs Conditions of Entry
For Rabbitohs Conditions of Entry please click here.

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/25/match_day_information_rabbitohs_v_raiders_round_4.html

 

[Guvner]

McInnes not named in the lower grades.

 

[Zigwaa]

Is this game on Fox or Channel 9? I reckon it's fox but just double checking.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

On Fox Zig.

 

[Zigwaa]

Cheers mate

 

[DC_fan]

Expecting a big effort from the boys on Sunday. Now is the time to show it. Wouldn't surprise me if we put up a big score against the Raiders.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Expecting a big effort from the boys on Sunday. Now is the time to show it. Wouldn't surprise me if we put up a big score against the Raiders.

I hope you are right.

I'm hoping for a real focus on completions and a completion rate somewhere in the 80's as a minimum.

If we hold the ball, we should have the firepower to win the game.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Last Time They Met - Rd 16, 2013

Words: Tom Skolarikis I Video: Nrl.com I Photos: Nrlphotos.com
Wed 26th March, 09:45AM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss














The Rabbitohs and Raiders last met in round 16 of the 2013 season at ANZ Stadium – the Rabbitohs running away 32-2 victors to extend their competition lead at the time to five points in what was their 13th win of the season.

Canberra took no chances with the first placed Rabbits early, with a penalty for offside within kicking distance enough to get the Raiders on the board in the fifth minute. Centre Jarrod Croker slotted the two-pointer to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. But the Raiders would not score again, while the Rabbitohs went on with the job.
Some fancy footwork from Adam Reynolds close to the line set up a converted try for Sam Burgess under the posts, giving the home-side the lead for the first time in the match.

From the ensuing set, Nathan Merritt broke clear through the Raiders’ line, but was caught just short by Raiders fullback and Souths Junior Reece Robinson. A penalty to Souths one tackle later gave Justin Hunt an opportunity to slide in to the corner to extend Souths’ lead to 10-2 – Reynolds having missed the conversion from the touch-line.

Issac Luke broke the points drought ten minutes before the break with a sneaky try from dummy-half close to the line catching the Raiders’ defence napping. Reynolds converted from close range to extend the lead to 16-2 leading into half time.

From Origin opponents on the previous Wednesday night, to teammates for the Rabbits on the weekend, Nathan Merritt and Greg Inglis combined in the 60th minute, with Inglis putting a perfect pass on to Merritt’s chest to send the flying finisher over in the corner. Reynolds converted for Souths to lead 22-2.

But the men in red and green weren’t done yet, with Bryson Goodwin touching down in the corner after taking a quick pass from dummy half down the blind side. Reynolds again added the extras to give Souths a 26-6 lead with just under 15 minutes to go.

The Rabbitohs were still not content though, with replacement winger Justin Hunt showing great vision to chip in to the in goal from 40 metres out for the flying Dylan Walker to touch down. Bryson Goodwin converted for to seal the match for the Rabbitohs by 32-2.
To watch all the highlights, please press play on the video player.

Will you be there this Sunday as the Rabbitohs look for their second win of 2014? The boys can't hear you cheering from your lounge, so take advantage of FREE RAIL TRAVEL with every ticket to the match and get behind the boys!
Pre-purchase To Save Time & Money
Make sure you take advantage of our special $40 general admission family pass offer for 2 adults & 2 kids to this Family Fun Day Sunday and don’t forget you save up to $10 per ticket across all categories* when you pre-purchase your tickets to Sunday’s clash against the Raiders!
*Does not include the already discounted $40 Family Pass
How to purchase tickets:
Online: Click here
Phone: 132 849
In Person: Click here
For all match day information, please click here.

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/26/last_time_they_met_rd_16_2013.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Rabbitohs v Raiders preview

By Chris Kennedy, National Correspondent
NRL.com
3:45pm Wed 26th March, 2014


Rabbitohs prop Sam Burgess and brother George will come up against one of the biggest packs in the NRL when they meet Canberra on Sunday. Copyright: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos.

Rabbitohs v Raiders
ANZ Stadium
Sunday 2pm
Ok, hands up who expected these two sides to be entering Round 4 level on the ladder with one win apiece?
In what is already a topsy-turvy season of results, that is the situation the side that were competition front-runners and a side some are still tipping for the wooden spoon find themselves in.
After swamping the premiers in Round 1 the Bunnies have been shocked by Manly and then, in one of the boilovers of the season, a very impressive Wests Tigers outfit last week.
The Burgess brothers have been making more impact on headlines than opposition forwards, with Manly's Jason King and Wests Tiger Aaron Woods taking the fire right up to the Yorkshiremen, with impressive results.
The Rabbitohs have also been hampered by a series of injuries – Chris McQueen was excellent on their left edge in Round 1 but hasn't featured since due to an ankle injury, although he has been named this week.
Five-eighth Dylan Walker, himself a replacement for the injured Luke Keary, appeared hampered in the red and green's Round 2 loss and didn't feature last week, and he has also been named to return.
However in a massive blow for the cardinal and myrtle, gun Kiwi hooker Issac Luke picked up a shoulder injury last week and could be out for as long as 10 weeks. His place in the starting side has been taken by promising Fijian rake Apisai Koroisau. The 21-year-old will be making his NRL debut although he has played four Tests for Fiji.
John Sutton has been moved from five-eighth back to lock, while the returning players force Ben Te'o and Joe Picker to the bench and Nathanial Neale to an extended interchange along with Kirisome Auva'a, although Neale will come into calculations if George Burgess fails to have a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle charge downgraded. Luke Burgess has been dropped to NSW Cup.
The Raiders can consider themselves a little unlucky in defeat – they completed 93 per cent of their sets last week, making fewer errors and being awarded more penalties.
In the end it was some high-class Titans defence and a couple of freakish tries to in-form half Albert Kelly that denied the Green Machine, who have made two changes – workhorse lock and NRL Fantasy gun [hyperlink http://fantasy.nrl.com/] Shaun Fensom returns, pushing Paul Vaughan to the pine and Matt McIlwrick back to NSW Cup, and Bill Tupou replaces the injured Edrick Lee on the wing.
Public transport to and from ANZ Stadium for this match is free.
Also, the Rabbitohs have announced a Family Fun Day for Sunday, with $40 general admission tickets for two adults and two kids, a relay on the field between Rabbitohs and Raiders fans, an opportunity for seven lucky fans to take part in a game of touch footy against Rabbitohs legends including Mario Fenech, and other prizes and giveaways including the chance to win a trip to Perth for the club's Round 13 match against the Warriors.
Watch the NRL LIVE with a 2-week free trial.
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Watch Out Rabbitohs: Electric fullback Anthony Milford is showing everyone why Canberra were so desperate to keep him in the nation's capital. Milford has racked up a season-high 18 tackle-breaks in three games, running an average of 143 metres per game, with one try and two try assists. There is no doubt he is Canberra's X-factor and with a couple of Souths' own X-factors in Luke and Inglis either injured or under a cloud Milford could break this game wide open.
Watch Out Raiders: For the first time since Round 1 the Bunnies go in with both Walker and McQueen on deck and that spells danger for Canberra through the middle. The pair looked to be forming a very intuitive combination in Round 1, with some sublime short balls form Walker sending McQueen through the Roosters line at tricky angles resulting in one long line break and almost a late try (which ended up being the play on which McQueen's ankle was folded beneath him). Having these two back on deck is massive for the Rabbitohs.
Plays To Watch: The aforementioned Walker short ball to a wide-running McQueen on the left edge will be a feature, and doubly dangerous if Inglis is fully fit and able to sweep through the back of the play cleaning up scraps and getting one on one with Milford.
For Canberra the developing partnership between halves Terry Campese and Jack Wighton will see Wighton produce some more instinctive play close to the line, particularly in terms of ball running, as well as short passing and kicking.
Where It Will Be Won: The home straight. Or more generally, the second half – the Raiders have been starting on fire then getting run down badly, while the Rabbitohs have been starting way too slowly before working their way into it. The Raiders scored first in their first two games and held first-half leads in every game, but been badly outscored in the second halves of their two losses 18-nil and 18-six, and even trailed against the Knights with 15 minutes to go until they were saved by two late tries. Meanwhile the Bunnies were level with the Roosters at half time before launching a second-half blitz, narrowed the gap against the Tigers in last week's loss and looked a stronger side in a drawn second half with Manly, going down by the two-point deficit they had taken into half time. On current form you'd back the Rabbitohs to track down whatever lead Canberra can generate early so the Raiders will need to stay with them through the back end of this one.
The History: Played 48; South Sydney 21, Canberra 27. Canberra racked up some good numbers against Souths in the '80s and '90s when they had such a dominant team but Souths are coming back, having won the last five on the bounce. Souths hold a 4-3 advantage at ANZ Stadium.
What Are The Odds: The money coming in at Sportsbet.com.au suggests this one will play out as expected, with the Rabbitohs clear $1.36 favourites. There has been some punter interest in the Raiders at $3 who represent some value.
Match Officials: Referees – Jared Maxwell & Grant Atkins; Touch Judges – Jeff Younis & Adam Reid; Video Referees – Steve Clark & Paul Mellor.
Televised: Fox Sports, Live, 2pm.
The Way We See It: Although they did scrape a win in Newcastle the Raiders aren't renowned travellers and the Bunnies will have a massive point to prove after being manhandled two weeks in a row. We don't discount Canberra by any stretch but you feel the Rabbitohs really should be able to control this one. Souths by 10 points.
*Statistics: Champion Data.

Free rail travel to ANZ Stadium for members and ticket holders

http://www.nrl.com/rabbitohs-v-raiders-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/77129/default.aspx

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

History in Red, Green & Lime

Words: Tom Skolarikis I Photos: Nrlphotos.com
Wed 26th March, 03:33PM
A A http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/_jcr_content/par/newslist_95ce.rss

The Canberra Raiders may have only entered the competition in 1982, but in that comparatively small space of time in the scheme of the game’s 106 year history in Australia, the Rabbitohs and Raiders have built a rivalry that runs as deep as any in the game.
Since that first day in 1982, the Rabbitohs and Raiders have met on 47 occasions, with the men from the Nation’s Capital holding a slight advantage with 27 wins to Souths’ 20 – four of those matches being finals.
The first seeds of the story were sewn on the 27th Februray, 1982, when the newly-formed Canberra Raiders began their first ever Premiership campaign against the Rabbitohs in round one at the imposing Redfern Oval.
It was a tough day at the office for the Raiders, who went down to the home-side by 37-7, thanks to a hat-trick of tries to winger Mark Ross, a double to Robert Simpkins, and a try apiece to Ziggy Niszcot and Peter Smith. Eight goals between Steve Walsh, Tony Melrose and Ken Wright added insult to injury for the green-machine in their first ever match.
But despite the golden start, the Raiders would have the wood over the red and greens at key moments in the rivalry – none more infamous though than in the preliminary final of 1989 at the SCG.
The Rabbitohs had won the minor premiership and now looked to go all the way against the Raiders. Fielding respective teams brimming with talented names such as Mario Fenech, Les Davidson, Craig Coleman and Phil Blake for the Rabbitohs and Mal Meninga, Steve Walters, Glen Lazarus and Laurie Daley for the Raiders, both teams – Just one game away from the Grand Final – tore into each other with hurricane fury in a desperate attempt to qualify.
At half-time, the scores were locked at 12 apiece, but the casualties for getting to that score-line were high with three Rabbitohs failing to return in the second half owing to injury. But with the Raiders starting their second half with a penalty goal, Souths’ downward spiral in the match continued – the Raiders eventually ending the Rabbitohs’ season with a 32-16 loss. South Sydney’s best season since 1971 had ended one week short of a Grand Final appearance.
Much water passed under the bridge since the loss in ‘89, but the Raiders were to be the team in the middle of two momentous Rabbitohs moments, the first in 2002, the latter in 2012.
Upon returning to the NRL in the 2002 season, the Rabbitohs faced the Canberra Raiders in Canberra in round two after having suffered a heavy loss in round one to the Roosters. Rabbitohs Members and supporters needed, and craved victory.
Wearing a predominantly white alternate strip, South Sydney fought out what would be their first victory since the 1999 season, by 30-22 in front of 17,111 rugby league fans – effectively ending the drought at the expense of Canberra. Red and green die-hards celebrated everywhere in what was an historic victory. But an even bigger drought would be broken at the expense of the Raiders in 2012.
Having made the finals only once (2007) since the minor premiership winning season of 1989, the Rabbitohs entered their next foray into the NRL finals having not won a finals match since 1987 when they beat the Balmain Tigers 15-12 at the SCG in round one of that year’s finals series. On the 15th of September, 2012, the finals drought also ended.
The Rabbitohs ran out 38-16 victors, with Andrew Everingham scoring a double while Greg Inglis, Dylan Farrell, Sam Burgess and Adam Reynolds also added their names to the score-card in an historic night at ANZ Stadium in front of 35,874 Members and supporters.
South Sydney met the Raiders only once in 2013 – coming out victorious by 32-2 on that occasion in a dominant performance by the side, and the next instalment of the battle against the men from the Nation’s Capital takes place on Sunday.
Will you be there this Sunday as the Rabbitohs look for their second win of 2014? The boys can't hear you cheering from your lounge, so take advantage of FREE RAIL TRAVEL with every ticket to the match and get behind the boys!
Pre-purchase To Save Time & Money
Make sure you take advantage of our special $40 general admission family pass offer for 2 adults & 2 kids to this Family Fun Day Sunday and don’t forget you save up to $10 per ticket across all categories* when you pre-purchase your tickets to Sunday’s clash against the Raiders!

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/26/history_in_red_green_lime.html

 

[rabbitohs95]

George Burgess cleared to play! Yew

 

[The Mad Hatter]

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/26/judiciary_update_george_burgess.html

George Burgess cleared.

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Great news,we actually won one!

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...canberra-raiders/story-fni3fbgz-1226865640593

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/27/rabbitohs_raw_chris_mcqueen_rd_4_2014.html

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/27/rabbitohs_raw_dylan_walker_rd_4_2014.html

http://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2014/03/27/rabbitohs_raw_chris_mcqueen_rd_4_2014.html

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Burgess aggression is fine, say Souths

National Sport Breaking News Sport League News
Date March 27, 2014 - 1:00PM


South Sydney players say prop Sam Burgess doesn't have a problem with his aggression after his Wests Tigers counterpart Aaron Woods accused him of "carrying on".
Burgess and Woods clashed after the English front-rower took exception to a first half tackle on his brother George in the Tigers' upset 25-16 round three NRL victory on Friday.
The incident fired up the Tigers pack, who took it to their Souths counterparts.
Woods claimed the incident as a turning point and said the Tigers had got under the skin of Sam Burgess in the same way interchange prop Jason King had the week before in Manly's win in Gosford.
But winger Lote Tuqiri said on Thursday the Rabbitohs welcome Sam Burgess' aggressive style.
"It is a natural thing and I think Sam would have done that with anyone and he said so at halftime," Tuqiri said.
"It (the tackle) looked pretty bad but it was legal. Those things happen. I'm glad he stepped in and defended his brother.
"We are a close-knit crew here and hopefully he can keep doing that as the year goes on.
"That's the way we play and that is the way forwards generally play so I would expect nothing less.
"If he wasn't doing that, I would think he is probably not doing his job."
Queensland back-rower Chris McQueen, who returns this week from an ankle injury to face Canberra at ANZ Stadium on Sunday, conceded that the Rabbitohs needed to stay better composed.
"The Tigers got under our skin a bit we have had a talk about that," McQueen said.
"With Sammy in particular, we have that aggression, we really use that and he gets us going forward.
"We have to keep that aggression but be a little bit smarter with it and not let teams get under our skin, if that is what they are trying to do.
"I don't think he is going too far: he is looking after his brother and teammate.
"After that sort of thing happens, it is just about settling back into the game and concentrating on your job.
"We know teams are going to keep doing that, we have to keep our cool."

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Inglis denies Redfern 'rift'

By Jack Brady, Staff Writer
NRL.com
3:20pm Thu 27th March, 2014

Greg Inglis has made a point of rubbishing rumours of a rift among players at Redfern. Copyright: Grant Trouville: NRL Photos.

‘Chinese whispers’ is a game usually played by children. A game that involves delivering a message to one individual and continued on to the next – the message travelling down the line until it reaches the last participant who proclaims the message out loud for those willing to listen.


Usually the final result of the original message is wrong. Distorted. Everyone has a great laugh about it and the game starts again.


However, in the case of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the rumours surrounding an apparent rift between certain players, no-one is laughing.


Fullback Greg Inglis, a member of the tight-knit Rabbitohs camp for the past three years, is forthright about the rumours of a rift, labelling them "a load of crap".


“We’ve become a lot tighter then what we ever had been. Don’t believe everything you read around the media circles. I think [rumours] have brought us a lot tighter than ever before,” Inglis said.


“[It’s a] happy camp... hasn’t been happy for the last two weeks with the losses, but hopefully we can turn that around.”


While Inglis went on the front foot to quash the rift rumours, he admits that the Bunnies' recent form hasn’t been great over the past fortnight, especially against the Wests Tigers last Friday night.


“I think as a team we haven’t had the best results in the last two weeks and we performed well under what we are capable of. As a team we got to turn that around this week,” Inglis said.


“The bottom line is [the Tigers] did bash our forwards and they just outplayed us throughout the whole game. There’s no putting an umbrella over it – it’s just what happened.


"In the end, we had a good hard look at how we want to play this week and how we want to go out and redeem ourselves. As a team we've got to go out there and return serve on what we dished up last week.


“We have to stick together as a group and as a team and go on and play the 80 minutes.”


Their dip in form has been compounded by the loss of dynamic dummy-half runner Issac Luke for anywhere up to 10 weeks; however, they are boosted by the returns of Chris McQueen and Dylan Walker heading into this weekend.


In further good news, Inglis has declared himself 100 per cent ready to go following a head knock suffered last weekend, while George Burgess will take his place against the Raiders at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon after managing to get his charge downgraded and avoiding suspension at the judiciary on Wednesday night.

Free rail travel to ANZ Stadium for members and ticket holders
“[The Raiders] always have [been under the radar] and with Jack Wighton there at five-eighth – he’s going to get better and better each and every week," Inglis said.


"They've got big forwards as well so it’s going to be a big tough match. In the end, we’ve just got to be on song for the whole 80 minutes.

“Having [George Burgess] available is a big plus for us and hopefully there’s no shenanigans on the weekend so we don’t have to go back to the judiciary.”


While the Rabbitohs will have to bounce back fast if they’re going to be competitive against the Raiders, winger Lote Tuqiri believes their forwards' battle against the Tigers made them realise they needed to step up every week.


“I don’t think [we underestimated the Tigers' forwards]. I think the fans probably did so more so than us. I think we’ve got to respect everyone we play against and I think they just aimed up,” Tuqiri said.


“We are being touted as one of the [better] forwards packs to come up against… and I think everyone’s doing that every week against us. There’s no easy game in the NRL.


“We just didn’t give ourselves a chance last week to put any pressure on them; we just kept giving it away or kicking the ball out on the foul or not finding touch on the penalties.”


With the Rabbitohs involved in several mishaps and disagreements between their opponents last weekend, Tuqiri insists that it is all a part of the game.


“Everyone was carrying on [last week]. It was just one of those games. There was a bit of talk, a bit of spite but that’s what rugby league is all about isn’t it? I say bring it on,” Tuqiri said.

http://www.nrl.com/inglis-denies-redfern-rift/tabid/10874/newsid/77164/default.aspx

 

[Newcastlerabbit]

Mum's tears for Api Koroisau's NRL dream come true

South Sydney Rabbitohs League News Date March 27, 2014 - 9:59AM

Adrian Proszenko

Chief Rugby League Reporter





Debut: Apisai Koroisau during last month's trial between Souths and Canterbury.

The first person Apisai Koroisau called when he got the NRL nod was his mum.
"Mum didn't say anything, she was really quiet on the other side of the phone and then all of a sudden she started to cry," Koroisau said.
"She was pretty happy. She's been that support I always needed, that push. She's been always been there for me all the time, taking me to training and taking time off work to watch me play. It's all paid off, she's really happy and hopefully I can keep here happy by keeping this spot."
This spot is the one he is warming for injured South Sydney hooker Issac Luke. Despite more lucrative offers from rival clubs, Koroisau remained loyal to the Rabbitohs and will get his reward in the form of a first-grade berth against Canberra on Sunday.
There are many people to thank for helping him on this journey. Like his partner, Cordelia, who he met working in a call centre 18 months ago. There's former Bunnies recruitment boss Mark Hughes, who saw something in the crafty playmaker when others didn't. And Lote Tuqiri, a teammate with whom he shares the same Fijian heritage. However, none has played a bigger role than his mother, Alumita, an aged-care nurse who uprooted her life in Fiji in her 20s.
"There's [not] much money going around in Fiji so she worked hard just to come over here with my dad," Koroisau said.
"She's worked hard to get us here, lots of sacrifice for me as well. I'm happy I can give her some excitement for her to be proud. She's been that support I always needed, that push. She's always been there for me all the time, taking me to training and taking time off work to watch me play. It's all paid off, she's really happy and hopefully I can keep here happy by keeping this spot."
Luke, when he returns from injury, will have something to say about that. But the New Zealand international is another great supporter.
"Definitely, a lot of the stuff I've learned in the last few years was just off him," Koroisau said.
"He's real supportive, is always pushing me to get better to take his spot. It sounds a bit weird but he's been great."
Koroisau never made a single representative team growing up while playing for the Berala Bears in the Canterbury competition.
"Since under 10s I've always been the smallest in the team," said the 85kg rake. "I sort of got used to it."
He has also gotten used to supporting the Rabbitohs after growing up a mad Tigers fan.
"My uncle went for them and told me to as well when I was growing up," he said. "I used to love watching Scott Prince play at the Tigers."
Koroisau is one of the few who have represented country before club, having played for Fiji in the recent World Cup.
"It was awesome. To play with Petero Civoniceva and Tariq Sims, and to play against Australia twice, it's just insane," said the noted goalkicker who led the league in pointscoring in his last year in the National Youth Competition.
"It was one of the best experiences I've had."
Another will be his first-grade debut. It is a grand achievement for a man on the NRL's minimum wage who recently worked on a construction line assembling computers.
"He chose to stay there for a lot less money to chase his dream at South Sydney, he knew [coach] Michael Maguire believed in him," said Koroisau's agent, Giancarlo Lombardo of GLT Sports Management.
"He's very grateful of the opportunity, has worked hard and will deserve all the accolades he will get. Just like his mum, I'm very proud of him."




Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...m-come-true-20140326-zqn8v.html#ixzz2x8sz1Xct