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31 Mar 2002 South Sydney have firmly put their opening round loss against the Roosters behind them with two successive victories defeating Manly 44-20 following on from the victory against Canberra the week before. Exciting fullback Wade McKinnon got the Rabbitohs off to a dazzling scoring an 80m try swooping on a chip kick from the Eagles. John Hopoate leveled up the scores with a try in the 7th minute from close ranges. Souths put their foot down with tries to Brent Grose, Paul Stringer and Russell Richardson to race out to a 24-6 lead. Grose plucked a kick from Blaine Stanley out of the air to score with Scott McLean landing a great sideline goal. Stringer barged over from close range taking a charge from a penalty tap where the Manly defence fell off when he spun in the tackle. http://nrl.rleague.com/news/index.php?id=5885 The true believers would have found the irony delicious. South Sydney, the club that refused to give up its tradition and was kicked out of the competition only to get back in, against what is left of the Manly and North Sydney clubs that formed a joint venture to survive - and the Rabbitohs won. Big-time. And now that they've won two games in a row, after falling to the Sydney Roosters in their premiership come-back match, maybe Souths are right after all when they say they can make the finals. Norths no longer have a role within the joint venture, so it is Manly who will have to cope with the disappointment of a poor start to the season all on their own. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/30/1017206160310.html South Sydney has thumped the Northern Eagles 44-20 in their National Rugby League match in Sydney. The Rabbitohs scored eight tries to four, with Russell Richardson crossing three times and Wade McKinnon twice. Souths led 24-12 at the half. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/03/item20020330163337_1.htm The South Sydney Rabbitohs have registered their second win on the trot with an attractive 44-20 victory over the struggling Northern Eagles at Aussie Stadium. It was a super-confident Souths team that strode onto the field in front of 15,825 screaming fans who were itching for a home win after the club's first victory in over two years against the Raiders last week. The form of some of their youthful players was something to behold with young fullback Wade McKinnon and former Eagles player Scott McLean playing with maturity beyond their years. Young prop Scott Geddes was a revelation and picked up several man-of-the-match awards for his tireless display in driving the side forward. The match also signalled the return to prominence of former Sharks centre Russell Richardson, who scored a hat-trick of tries in a masterful display of power running. http://au.sports.yahoo.com/020330/4/gbi.html South Sydney celebrated its first home win since being re-admitted to the National Rugby League on Saturday night, thrashing the Northern Eagles 44-20 at Aussie Stadium. The Rabbitohs ran in eight tries to four in their second win of the season. Former Shark Russel Richardson, who missed the charity shield match and also Souths' season opener against the Sydney Roosters, wasted no time in endearing himself to his new home crowd. His first try was a fortuitous one, the ball landing in his hands close to the line after two kicks ricocheted off opposing players. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,90786-2-19,00.html South Sydney celebrated its first home win since being re-admitted to the National Rugby League tonight, thrashing the Northern Eagles 44-20 at Aussie Stadium. The Rabbitohs ran in eight tries to four in their second win of the season. Former Shark Russel Richardson, who missed the charity shield match and also Souths' season opener against the Sydney Roosters, wasted no time in endearing himself to his new home crowd. His first try was a fortuitous one, the ball landing in his hands close to the line after two kicks ricocheted off opposing players. After the break, Richardson crossed twice more to soothe Souths' nerves after the Eagles got to within eight points. His second try came from a 40 metre dash down the left hand touchline and he completed his hat trick in the last three minutes after pouncing on a grubber kick from Adam Muir. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_3006.asp SOUTH SYDNEY have celebrated their first home win since being re-admitted to the NRL, thrashing the Northern Eagles 44-20 at Aussie Stadium. The Rabbitohs ran in eight tries to four in their second win of the season. Former Shark Russel Richardson, who missed the charity shield match and also Souths' season opener against the Sydney Roosters, wasted no time in endearing himself to his new home crowd. His first try was a fortuitous one, the ball landing in his hands close to the line after two kicks ricocheted off opposing players. Foxsports THE Rabbitoh juggernaut went into overdrive last night as Craig Coleman's outfit ensured the Northern Eagles would firm in wooden-spoon markets. The Easter Bunnies were full of running last night to post eight tries as 15,000 loyal fans lapped up every moment. Some of the Rabbitohs' tries were outstanding, with reborn former Test centre Russell Richardson benefitting from the skills of his inside men to score a hat-trick of tries. He was supported by another smart display from fullback Wade McKinnon, while Owen Craigie is looking more at home at five-eighth. The Eagles had little imagination in attack and some poor defensive lapses cost them dearly. Souths rolled to a handy 24-12 lead to the break and probably should have led by at least 10 more points in a dominant display. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4047010%255E2771,00.html 28 Mar 2002 The best way to get to the game this weekend to cheer home the lads is by bus. If you're going to the game via the club, there are 3 buses shuttling fans from 2:30pm and a further 3 buses at 3:30pm. After the fulltime siren, 8 buses will carry supporters back to the club so you can have a chance to meet your favourite players. These buses will be leaving Aussie Stadium at 7:00pm, with the final shuttle departing at 9:00pm. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=30 With an away win under the belt, the Rabbitohs are looking for success to repay their fans. Craig Coleman and his boys will be hoping that a victory against the Northern Eagles this Saturday will go someway in repaying Sydney fans after the first round loss to the Roosters. On the back of a good performance in Canberra, Tugger wants to continue this run against the winless Eagles. It is also a chance for Sydney's Rabbitohs supporters to get out to Aussie Stadium and cheer their team, after a vocal contingent of Souths supporters added spice to the Canberra crowd. Competition for a spot in the side has hotted up and it's a real credit to the depth of the club that the club could register their first win with so many first grade standard players on the sideline. Tugger has continually told the players "if you perform, you'll be in the side". http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=29 26 Mar 2002 SOUTHS captain Adam Muir will make his return from a neck injury for the Rabbitohs against the Northern Eagles on Saturday night. Muir was today named in the second row alongside Luke Stuart for the game at Aussie Stadium. Coach Craig Coleman has dropped prop Glenn Grief, allowing young forward Scott Geddes to make his starting debut against the Eagles. http://sport.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,4023819%255E5927,00.html 25 Mar 2002 I suppose I am just echoing every other Souths supporter’s sentiments when I say what a great weekend I had down in Canberra. It’s always great when your footy team wins, isn’t it? And it’s always great when you know that you are playing again next week. Nolene and I sat in the stand on Saturday night and were as proud as anything watching that young team take on and beat the home side. There were 17,000 screaming fans and I’ll bet 60 per cent of them were Souths supporters. It kind of disproves what one of the QC’s in our court case said when he claimed that fans could easily change their allegiances. A bloke in the gallery at the time yelled out “that’s bullshit mate”…and he was right. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=26 South Sydney Rabbitohs’ Chief Executive Paul Dunn has praised coach Craig Coleman following the club’s first win since returning to the National Rugby League after two years in exile. The Rabbitohs downed the Canberra Raiders 30-22 at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. "It should get some of the knockers off Craig Coleman, to get the team back from the result the week before with so many players missing is a testament to his coaching ability,” said Dunn. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43740&rc=329 The Raiders gave South Sydney the perfect welcoming gift, 2 competition points, after the Rabbitohs were written off in the press after the flogging the Roosters gave them in their NRL return. A large crowd was there to witness history, and being a Raiders fan it brought back the haunting memories of last season. Numerous times last season the Raiders were up against a team that had copped a hammering in the press throughout the week, and the Raiders were there to give them the two competition points. An example of this was when the Raiders visited Campbelltown last season the weekend after the Hopoate scandal, and the Raiders were beaten there. Everybody expected the Raiders to win then as well, and the SGB was left walking away from Campbelltown just as disappointed as all Raiders fans that walked away from Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5798 The Rabbitohs have notched up their first NRL victory for 2002 by 30 points to 22 in an exciting match against the Canberra Raiders in Canberra. Souths started confidently scoring the first try and converting to lead 6-0. Canberra were next to score (6-6). Souths crossed the line again in a play started by Blaine Stanley down the left hand side of the field with Brent Grose finishing it off to lead the Raiders 12-6. Dominating field position at this stage the Rabbitohs were able to score again to go to the break at 18 points to 12. The Rabbitohs scored early in the second half to lead 24-12, and were looking good. They attacked the Raiders line for several sets but were unable to cross the line, and after a silly mistake allowed the Raiders in for a try. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=25 South Sydney players celebrating their first win since the club's return received a further boost to morale when Oscar favourite Russell Crowe phoned on Saturday night to congratulate them. Crowe, in Los Angeles for today's Academy Awards, rang during the team's bus trip home from Canberra and - despite the mobile phone line continually dropping out - spoke to every player. "The guys really appreciated that," Souths coach Craig Coleman said. "He's one of the biggest stars in the world, he's going to win the Oscar for the second year in a row, but he kept ringing back until he had spoken to everyone." After arriving back in Sydney at 2.30am yesterday, the Rabbitohs were given the day off but Coleman is not expecting any injury problems when they front for a medical session today. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/24/souttthhhsss.htm SOUTH Sydney's first victory of the season has drawn praise from the other side of the world with the club's highest profile supporter Russell Crowe speaking to every player on the phone. Crowe, who is in Los Angeles for today's Oscars, rang coach Craig Coleman on his mobile as the South Sydney team bus was making its way back from Canberra after the 30-22 win over the Raiders. "He spoke to every player. I think he watched the game. He's got some fairly big TV connections so he probably got it organised," Coleman said. http://news.nzcity.co.nz/news/getnews.asp?article=583197 South Sydney ended the longest drought in National Rugby League history with a sensational victory over the winless Canberra Raiders. Winless for 986 days, the Rabbitohs produced a stunning 30-22 win at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night, despite missing a dozen injured players from their top line-up. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=1291478&thesection=sport&thesubsection=rugbyleague 24 Mar 2002 South Sydney have produced rare spirit and courage to defeat Canberra 30-22 to record their first victory of the season. Despite being ravaged with injuries and coming back to earth after the loss against the Roosters last week, Souths rallied behind new skipper Jason Death to record one of their most famous victories. The Rabbitohs were written off by all and sundry but the loss against Easts ensured the focus at Souths was back on football and not the "Swans" bandwagon hype they have been through since winning the court case last year. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5784 The South Sydney Rabbitohs have earned their first win of the National Rugby League season, defeating the Canberra Raiders 30-22 at Canberra Stadium. The Rabbitohs absorbed a furious fight back from the Raiders, who got to within two points after trailing 24-12 on the hour. But with just five minutes left, mercurial five eighth Owen Craigie set up a brilliant chip and chase try for Blaine Stanley to give Souths the deserved win. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43721&rc=329 South Sydney pulled off their first National Rugby League victory in the 21st century, seeing off the Raiders at Canberra Stadium - shown in full on Sky Sports. The Rabbitohs are making their return to first grade competition this year after being excluded from the last two campaigns. A gripping match had the crowd on he edge of their seats, with the home side fighting back to come within two points of the Rabbitohs with 15 minutes to go. However, half-back Blaine Stanley scored the visitors' fifth try in the 75th minute to confirm an emotional triumph for Souths' faithful band of travelling supporters. Souths allowed a 24-12 lead to slip away to 24-22 midway through the second half as Raiders centre Jason Croker and full-back Clinton Schifcofske scored tries, but Stanley came up with the goods after Owen Craigie's break set him clear of the back-tracking Canberra defence. http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,11060-1047027,00.html South Sydney drew on the spirit and tradition that made it Australia's most successful rugby league club to record its first victory on Saturday night in more than two-and-a-half years. The tired Rabbitohs appeared gone when they allowed Canberra to come within two points of the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the match at Canberra Stadium. That's when Souths followed the lead of the likes of Clive Churchill and, finding strength from their legion of supporters, scored a final try in the 75th minute of the nailbiting clash to record a 30-22 victory over the Raiders. It was Souths' first win since it was kicked out of the National Rugby League in 1999. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,89450-2-19,00.html SOUTH Sydney, the club that wouldn't die, won their first premiership match since July 11 1999 last night to announce they are back in the most emphatic fashion. Undermanned and coming off a heavy loss to the Roosters last week, the Rabbitohs played with a mixture of spirit and adventure to run the Raiders ragged either side of halftime. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4009003%255E2771,00.html Souths return from the rugby league wilderness turned full circle at Canberra Stadium as they posted their first National Rugby League victory in over two years with a heart-stopping 30-22 win over the Raiders. Not since round 19 of the 1999 season could the most successful club (20 premierships) boast a win in the premier rugby league competition, but the never say die attitude which got the club back into the NRL was evident all over the Canberra Stadium paddock. Parading the field for the first time in their predominantly white away strips, the new look Rabbitohs looked as though they’d learnt very quickly from the hiding handed to them by the Roosters last week with an ultra-spirited performance that should please coaching staff and supporters alike considering the staggering injury toll leading into the game. Sportal South Sydney is revelling in its first National Rugby League victory in more than 2-1/2 years tonight after out-classing Canberra 30-22 in a nail-biting clash at Canberra Stadium. Almost as impressive as the win was the Rabbitohs' cohesive team work and their ability to fight back in the dying minutes of the match after allowing the Raiders to come within two points with 15 minutes remaining. Halfback Blaine Stanley secured Souths first win since the team was kicked out of the competition in 1999 when he crossed for the Rabbitohs fifth try in the 75th minute - to the delight of the hundreds of Souths fans who had made the trip to the national capital in the hope of a historic win. The picture looked bleak for Souths late in the second half when it let slip a 24-12 lead and the tired Rabbitohs allowed Raiders centre Jason Croker and fullback Clinton Schifcofske to score. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2954.asp South Sydney has upset Canberra 30-22 in their National Rugby League match in Canberra. The Rabbitohs crossed for five tries to the Raiders' four. The win is Souths' first since their reinstatement to the top flight competition. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/03/item20020323170815_1.htm SOUTH SYDNEY have drawn on the spirit and tradition that made them Australia's most successful rugby league club to record their first victory in more than two-and-a-half years. The tired Rabbitohs appeared gone when they allowed Canberra to come within two points of the lead with 15 minutes remaining in the match at Canberra Stadium. That's when Souths followed the lead of the likes of Clive Churchill and, finding strength from their legion of supporters, scored a final try in the 75th minute of the nailbiting clash to record a 30-22 victory over the Raiders. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,4010099%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html SOUTHS RABBITOHS have posted their first win since returning to the NRL Premiership with a stirring 30-22 success over the Raiders in Canberra. It was an incredible form reversal from a side thrashed in the opening round by the Sydney Roosters and with 11 of their 25-man senior squad sidelined through either injury or suspension. Souths held a comfortable 24-12 lead after tries just before and just after half-time. They then held off a Canberra fightback that got the Raiders to within two points with 17 minutes of the match remaining. Five minutes from full-time the Rabbitohs sealed the match after scrum half Blaine Stanley backed up a sensational kick-and-chase effort by stand-off Owen Craigie to score under the posts. The conversion put the game out of the Raiders' reach. Canberra coach Matthew Elliott was grim-faced after watching his side butcher several tries. http://www.totalrugbyleague.com/news/viewnews.cgi?newsid1016879450,13564, 23 Mar 2002 South Sydney coach Craig Coleman will give props Glenn Grief and Paul Stringer as much time as possible to prove their fitness for the clash with the Raiders in Canberra on Saturday night. Grief is in doubt with a back injury and Stringer with a knee strain he suffered several weeks ago, but the Rabbitohs are keeping their fingers crossed the duo may take the field at Canberra Stadium. http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=24993 Anyone who doubts the innate brutality of sport should have been with the Sydney Roosters supporters at South Sydney's return game. Not only did the hardcore Roosters boo Souths onto the field, they booed Russell Crowe, they booed Albert Clift, and they even booed the old bell. Once the game started, they hurled insults at Souths: "Take another two years out of the game and come back when you've got a team!" "Put your lawyers on!" "Put Russell on!" Part way through the Roosters' 40-6 win, a fan turned to me and said: "You know, Souths were a lot better as an idea than they are as a footy team." http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/22/knox23.htm South Sydney president George Piggins and NSW Opposition leader Kerry Chikarovski met for lunch in the Chinese restaurant of the Rabbitohs Leagues Club in Redfern last Thursday, just before the kick-off to the National Rugby League season. They discussed a redevelopment proposal for Redfern, a project that would regenerate Piggins's beloved oval and parkland and promote the NSW Liberal Party's claim to be the champion of disadvantaged members of the community. Thirty hours later, NSW Premier Bob Carr, after watching the Rabbitohs-Roosters match, moved into the Trust box at the Sydney Football Stadium and had a brief conversation with rugby league immortal Reg Gasnier. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/03/22/polli.htm SOUTH Sydney's playing roster has been torn apart in just round two of the NRL with 12 players from the top squad unavailable for tonight's clash with Canberra. The Rabbitohs' injury woes reached crisis point last night when prop Glenn Grief was ruled out with a lower back strain and Paul Stringer was rated only a 50 per cent chance of playing because of a knee problem. Former St George Illawarra forward Terry Lamey -- who has not played in the NRL for two years -- will replace Grief while unknown Parramatta junior Mark Meredith is on standby for Stringer. "We'd like our top side to be playing but we've said all along we're a club in a rebuilding phase," Souths coach Craig Coleman said. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,4004632%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 22 Mar 2002 THE South Sydney player suspended on a spear tackle charge this week is free to play for the Rabbitohs against Canberra tomorrow. Adam Peek was outed on Wednesday night yet will exploit a loophole to play for the club's first division side in Canberra tomorrow night. With first division still playing trial matches, Peek has been listed to play. http://sport.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,3997712%255E5927,00.html 21 Mar 2002 Already without Adam Muir, Andrew Hart and Adam Peek, South Sydney may also lose Glenn Grief and Paul Stringer for its clash with Canberra. Muir and Hart were both ruled out early in the week after suffering heavy knocks in the loss to the Roosters, while Peek was handed a one-match ban by the NRL judiciary for a dangerous throw on Sydney’s Bryan Fletcher. http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=24958 The Canberra Raiders will start as heavy favourites, when they meet the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday night, at the newly named Canberra Stadium. Despite both teams being first round losers, the Raiders looked far more impressive in a controversial loss to Melbourne, while the Rabbitohs were thoroughly outclassed by a red hot Roosters outfit. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5751 South Sydney captain Adam Muir expressed surprise last night at off-field staff quitting the club so early in its comeback season. Departed director Andrew Denton yesterday wrote to the Herald to reassure Souths fans his decision to quit was not a reaction to problems within the club. His comments came as prop Paul Stringer suggested excessive promotional activities might have detracted from the Rabbitohs' performance in their comeback match against Sydney on Friday night. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/21/sport/sport5.html South Sydney's early-season troubles continued last night with the suspension of second rower Adam Peek at the National Rugby League judiciary. Peek was found guilty of a grade one dangerous throw on Sydney Roosters forward Bryan Fletcher and rubbed out of the game for a week. The 25-year-old will miss the Rabbitohs' trip to Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2938.asp South Sydney looks likely to be without front rowers Glenn Grief and Paul Stringer for this Saturday's National Rugby League game against Canberra on Saturday. They will likely join captain Adam Muir and second rower Andrew Hart on the sideline, while Adam Peek was last night outed for one week by the judiciary for a grade one dangerous throw. Young players Jamie Fitzgerald, Scott Geddes, Terry Lamey and Mike Meredith are all likely to get runs in first grade. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2941.asp South Sydney second rower Adam Peek has been suspended for one match by the National Rugby League judiciary after being found guilty of a grade one dangerous throw. The 25-year-old will miss the Rabbitohs' trip to Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/03/item20020321084843_1.htm South Sydney second rower Adam Peek has been suspended for one match by the NRL judiciary on a dangerous throw charge. Peek was cited for the throw on Sydney Roosters forward Bryan Fletcher in the Rabbitohs’ 40-6 hammering at Aussie Stadium in the opening round, and despite fighting the charge copped the ban when found guilty of the offence. Peek will now miss Souths’ trip to Canberra Stadium to take on the Raiders on Saturday night, joining captain Adam Muir and prop Andrew Hart on the sidelines after both were knocked out in the Roosters clash. Meanwhile the North Queensland Cowboys have received some good news with Tim Brasher’s knee injury not as serious as was initially feared. Playing his first regular season match since hurting his knee in a fall at home and having to have it reconstructed in October 2000, Brasher hurt the same knee in his team’s 42-6 loss to the Broncos last Saturday night. SMH SOUTH SYDNEY's tale of woe looks like it will get worse this weekend with front rowers Glenn Grief and Paul Stringer in doubt for Saturday's NRL game against Canberra. Captain Adam Muir and second-rower Andrew Hart both suffered head knocks last week and have already joined Frank Puletua on the sideline, while Adam Peek was last night outed for one week by the judiciary for a grade one dangerous throw. And while coach Craig Coleman said nearly a dozen players across the grades were under injury clouds, he still had a smile in his voice when talking of the weekend's game in Canberra. "We have got plenty of young kids, so we will be alright," he said. "All along we are just building our club, and we are building around youth. "We'll have plenty of youth in the side this week." http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3993852%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html SOUTH SYDNEY's inglorious return to the NRL has continued when the Rabbitohs claimed the dubious honour of being the first club this season to have a player suspended. Second-rower Adam Peek was found guilty of a grade one dangerous throw and rubbed out of the game for a week. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3990047%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 20 Mar 2002 High-profile South Sydney supporter Andrew Denton has resigned from the club's board just days after Souths' historic premiership return. Denton's resignation was accepted at a meeting of directors last night but Rabbitohs president George Piggins said the former broadcaster would maintain a close association with the club. "He just said that he felt his job was done now that we're up and running and that if he could be of any assistance in the future he would be," Piggins said. "I just think that it's got to a stage where everyone's got to put their lives in order. "There's no internal drama with Andrew." Despite Piggins's denials, there have been rumours of internal tensions, with Denton's resignation following the recent departures of marketing manager Jasmine Skee and sponsorship manager Paul Clarke. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/20/sport/sport5.html 19 Mar 2002 South Sydney forward Andrew Hart is a surprise chance to be included for the Rabbitohs round two NRL clash against the Canberra Raiders this Saturday evening. Hart was taken to hospital during the Rabbitohs 40-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters last Friday night for precautionary x-rays, after suffering a neck injury making a tackle during the latter stages of play. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43617 By George What a fantastic night it was last Friday at Aussie Stadium. Yeah, I know we didn’t win. In fact we were well beaten, but we were there on the paddock…a place we haven’t been for more than two years. To actually watch, the build up and then the Rabbitohs in the red and green, come out to play first grade rugby league was just a thrill in itself. And to have 36,000 fans there was a real bonus. You people really came out in droves, with Souths providing almost one third of the total weekend rugby league crowd. It’s a tribute to all you people who promised to stick by the club and I salute you. One thing we have all learned over the past couple of years is “never say die”. I’m asking you to continue that tradition when it comes to following the Rabbitohs. Don’t be discouraged by results such as last Friday night. Let’s face reality. We had no infrastructure at all when we won our appeal and had to start from scratch. We had to assemble a brand new squad of players who hadn’t played together as a unit before. We had to try to get some sort of cohesion and combination going and that in itself is going to take time. Head coach Craig Coleman assures me he’s very happy with the playing strength and depth and believes his players have what it takes. So do I. It’s a very long season and a lot can happen between now and September. But its nowhere near as long as the agony we had to endure over the past few seasons, so there is no excuse to give up on our team and I know you won’t. And there were a few more surprises on the weekend with a numbver of teams being beaten by larger scores than ours. But what else made Friday night a memorable one was the amount of people who returned to our leagues club after the game to have a bit of fun and meet the players. They were in a great mood and a fantastic time was had by all. This tradition of returning to the leagues club after every home game will continue, no matter what. I hope to see you all at our next home game in two weeks, spurring on our players with your presence and the chant of… “come on the Rabbitohs!” George Piggins http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=23 South Sydney will be without second-rowers Adam Muir and Andrew Hart for the Saturday nights clash against Canberra at Canberra Stadium. Both players sustained neck injuries with Muir cleared to play in the Round 3 clash against Manly and Hart also likely to be right for the match. Luke Stuart and Adam Peek will be the new second-rowers with Muir and Hart out of action with Jason Death selected as captain ahead of Owen Craigie. Peek will contest the grade one dangerous throw charge laid against him by the NRL match review committee yesterday. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5702 Forward Adam Peek will be the first player to appear before the NRL judiciary this season, with the club announcing last night it would fight a dangerous-throw charge. Second-rower Andrew Hart may be a surprise inclusion in the side to play Canberra on Saturday night, but skipper Adam Muir is almost certain to be ruled out due to concussion. Both were taken to hospital last Friday with neck injuries and Muir was still suffering headaches yesterday. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/19/sport/sport6.html Rabbitohs lose Muir The Rabbitohs have lost second-rowers Adam Muir and Andrew Hart for Saturday night’s clash against the Raiders at Canberra Stadium. The two sustained neck injuries and were concussed during the 40-6 loss to the Roosters in the season’s opening game on Friday night. Both are expected to return for Round Three. Hooker Jason Death replaces Muir as captain and Adam Peek and Luke Stuart were named to start in the scrum. However, Peek is facing a one week suspension if found guilty at the judiciary on a grade one dangerous throw charge. In the only other change to the side, halfback Blaine Stanley comes in for Brad Watts, who start from the bench. http://www.austarnet.com.au/feeds/sport_report.asp?display=4&story_id=24876&category=news South Sydney second rowers Adam Muir and Andrew Hart have both been ruled out of the National Rugby League clash against Canberra at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night. The pair suffered neck injuries in the Rabbitohs' 40-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters last Friday night. Hart was cleared by doctors but Souths are awaiting a specialist's report before he resumes playing. However he and skipper Muir, who also suffered concussion, are expected to play in round three. Hooker Jason Death is the new captain while Adam Peek and Luke Stuart will start in the second row. Peek, however, was yesterday charged with a grade one dangerous throw by the NRL judiciary. Souths are certain to contest the charge, with Peek facing a week on the sideline if found guilty. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2930.asp RUGBY league's perennial battle to wipe out spear tackles from the game is on again, with two players cited after the opening round of the competition. South Sydney's Adam Peek and Penrith's Tony Puletua have been charged with dangerous throws during their weekend games. The Rabbitohs will contest the charge levelled against Peek and will appear before the judiciary tomorrow night. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3978050%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html South Sydney forward Andrew Hart could make a shock appearance for the National Rugby League club this weekend after being cleared to resume training. Hart was expected to miss Saturday night's game against Canberra after suffering a neck injury in the Rabbitohs' 40-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Friday night. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguesouths 18 Mar 2002 South Sydney forward Andrew Hart was still in a soft neck brace yesterday and was unsure when he would be able to play again. Hart joined Souths skipper Adam Muir in hospital after the 40-6 loss to Sydney in the Rabbitohs' comeback game on Friday night. Muir was subsequently cleared of any injury aside from concussion. But Hart, 25, said: "I went into a tackle near the end and heard a clicking sound in my neck. I didn't get out of hospital until 11.30am the next day. "There was concern over one area of my spine - I eventually got the all-clear but I'm going for a second opinion next week. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/18/sport/sport5.html Central Coast fans are poised to become the major victims of rugby league's great weekend of reincarnation that kicked off the 2002 season. South Sydney, Allan Langer, Tim Brasher, Shaun Timmins, Matthew Johns, Andrew Gee - they and others seemed lost to the premiership 12 months ago but reinvented themselves with varying success during an eventful round one. But it is the comeback of Manly - although they are still known as the Northern Eagles - that was causing the greatest debate last night. Although North Sydney are no longer involved, the new version of the Eagles are continuing to play half their games at Gosford's NorthPower Stadium as was the arrangement during their two-year joint venture. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/18/sport/sport2.html 17 Mar 2002 South Sydney made an emotional return to the Australian National Rugby League, after a two-year absence, but their season started with a 40-6 loss against the Sydney Roosters. South Sydney, the city's Sydney oldest and most successful club, helped found the league in 1908 and won 20 premierships but were dumped from the competition in 1999 after refusing to merge with another club as part of a league restructure. In 1999 the NRL slashed the number of clubs from 20 to 14, forcing many to merge after two rival leagues became a single competition. Souths decided to fight on alone and were excluded from the competition. The club won their legal battle last year to be re-instated for 2002 and Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has been prominent in fundraising. The New Zealand-born actor was a special guest at Friday's match, which attracted a crowd of 35,316. http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,11060-1046358,00.html I like many of the fans there at Aussie Stadium last night was bitterly disappointed by the poor showing by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. However, after a second examiniation by video of the game last night, I think it is wrong for fans to give up hope or for the knives to come out as done so by Michael Murray on this very site this morning. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5665 SOUTH Sydney legend Bob McCarthy has called on the Rabbitohs to lure controversial boxer Anthony Mundine back to rugby league. Citing a lack of attacking firepower in Friday night's 40-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters, McCarthy believes the former Dragon could be the answer. "We know he's talented and it showed last (Friday) night that they lack a strike player," McCarthy said. "They've got plenty of muscle and got good defence, they just need a strike player to get them out of trouble. "To play against the big boys you need a strike player. "He (Mundine) hasn't played for 12 months but I believe he's the only one out there available." http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3965903%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Adam Muir has been cleared of serious injury after being taken to hospital for scans on his spine last night. Muir did not move for several minutes after being hit hard in a tackle mid-way through the second half of last night’s clash with the Sydney Roosters. The 30 year-old was taken from the field in a neck brace and taken straight to hospital, where he was later cleared of any serious damage. But Muir does have some bruising around his spinal area and could miss next weekend’s clash with the Canberra Raiders. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43566 16 Mar 2002 It's a clunky old bell, not much to look at, but last night its brassy chimes brought forth a mighty roar as the Rabbitohs played their first competition game in three seasons, proving forever that where there's the will, Battlers can always beat the Big Bastards. Expelled for 631 days, Souths rugby league team, in their traditional red and green, were back where they began and belong - on the playing field, before fanatical fans. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/16/sport/sport3.html The National Rugby League took the ball from South Sydney for 929 days and the Roosters adopted the same strategy last night, starving the Rabbitohs of possession, depriving the newly assembled team of the pigskin and winning 40-6 in the opening game of the season. Playing with a cohesiveness and confidence the Rabbitohs could not muster, the Roosters kicked astutely and moved the ball swiftly to the extent Souths crossed the halfway line only twice in the first 40 minutes. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/16/sport/sport2.html South Sydney's battle against immense odds may have only just begun if their nightmarish return to the National Rugby League last night is any indication. The Rabbitohs' period of elation at their comeback to football after two years in court came to an abrupt end as they were comprehensively pummelled by the Sydney Roosters and two players, including captain Adam Muir, finished the evening in hospital with neck injuries. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/16/sport/sport1.html BORN-AGAIN South Sydney were banking on taking $1 million through the gate in their first season back – and they're almost halfway there after just one premiership game. The hype surrounding Souths' return is translating into a major financial windfall for the club. Despite last night's terrible start to the Telstra Premiership, the Rabbitohs' marketing figures are going through the roof and their gate takings are following. Souths have budgeted on making the $1 million from 12 home games and they have already recorded nearly $500,000 in profits from the Charity Shield game and last night's opening round against the Sydney Roosters. Both games drew near capacity crowds in 40,000-seat Aussie Stadium. "We'll walk away with half a million from those two games – that's a good start to the year," said Souths chief executive Paul Dunn. "We've got to maintain the rage for the rest of the year and we should finish in the black." The club's target for average crowds is 18,000, an optimistic figure in the Sydney rugby league market. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3960909%255E2771,00.html SOUTHS prop Paul Stringer sat in one corner of the Rabbitohs' dressingroom with a large icepack around his left knee – a symbol of the match he was not even meant to play. In another corner, backrower Paul McNicholas was red-eyed with his head in his hands – upset that he and his teammates had let down an army of red and green supporters. Rookies Wade McKinnon and Scott McLean strolled out of the showers with a bounce that can only come with youthful exuberance. The Rabbitohs were beaten but not broken. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3961252%255E2771,00.html South Sydney's emotional return to the NRL after a two-year absence ended in defeat as the Rabbitohs were crushed 40-6 by the Sydney Roosters on Friday. Not even the presence of celebrity fan Russell Crowe in a bumper crowd of 35,316 at the Aussie Stadium could inspire the Souths to a comeback victory. "They were like the Indians coming over the hills," quipped Souths coach Craig Coleman, who was nevertheless upbeat about the Rabbitohs' future prospects. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/rugby_league/newsid_1873000/1873053.stm SOUTH Sydney, every neutral's favourite team, have learned the harsh realities of life back in the National Rugby League with a nightmare return to the premiership. The Sydney Roosters brutally showed there was no room on the field for sentiment as they crushed the much-loved Rabbitohs 40-6 in front of 35,316 mostly stunned fans, including Oscar winner and Souths' No.1 ticket holder Russell Crowe, at Aussie Stadium. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3959900%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html South Sydney captain Adam Muir has been taken to St Vincent’s hospital for precautionary x-rays on a neck injury suffered in the Rabbitohs’ 40-6 loss to the Sydney Roosters. Muir had to be stretchered from the field in the 54th minute after colliding with one of his own teammates, although Rabbitohs coach Craig Coleman indicated that Muir was conscious. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43560 South Sydney have made their official return to the National Rugby League competition, but unfortunately for the Rabbitohs it was all downhill from there. With Academy Award winner and number one fan Russell Crowe looking on amongst a crowd of 35,316 at Aussie Stadium, Souths were put to the sword by the Sydney Roosters to the tune of 40-6. It was a dominant and ruthless display from the Roosters, who blew open the game early in the first half, and kept up the pressure on their hapless opponents with smart, error free rugby league. http://www.ozleague.com/matchreport.asp?matchid=106695 It was supposed to be a night Souths fans would remember, but the Sydney Roosters ensured it was one they would happily forget. The Roosters turned the Rabbitohs' National Rugby League return into a romp at Aussie Stadium on Friday night, racing in seven tries in a 40-6 win which showed off their premiership claims and ruined Souths' fairytale return. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,87642-2-19,00.html THAT other rugby league foundation team did give a toss about South Sydney's premiership reincarnation at Aussie Stadium last night. The Roosters were supposed to be bit players before a packed house in a game where the Rabbitohs would prove that nothing's impossible if you never say die. It was no secret the Roosters, from their boss Nick Politis to the fans and players, had seethed all week as the Rabbitohs made all the running in the media build-up. They were dirty but said nothing – they wanted their football to do the only talking that mattered. It was Souths' home game but it was being played at their shared home ground. Surely that counted for something . . . not bloody likely. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3960908%255E2771,00.html 15 Mar 2002 The Sydney Roosters have thrashed the South Sydney Rabbitohs 40-6 in tonight’s season opening National Rugby League match at Aussie Stadium. It was somewhat of an anti-climatic finish to what was has been a massive week of build-up for the Rabbitohs, who were playing their first NRL match since 1999. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=0000043556 The South Sydney Rabbitohs re-introduction has ended in disappointment with the Roosters smashing the famous club 40-6 in their first premiership match since 1999. It was meant to be the night that fairytales were made of, a massive crowd coloured in mostly Red and Green filled Aussie Stadium and after Russell Crowe and Albert Clift rang the famous bell to mark the start of the game it was all downhill from there for the men in Red and Green. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5653 The Sydney Roosters have spoilt the South Sydney Rabbitohs party by thrashing them 40-6 in front of a crowd of 35,316 at Aussie Stadium. The Rabbits were simply outclassed by a Roosters outfit that had clear early intentions of marking their stamp on the premiership. The night started promising for the famous red-and-greens with loud roars on entering the field, then the ringing of the historic bell – first rang back in 1908 for their debut match against Norths – by the original timekeeper Albert Clift, with Rabbitohs fan Russell Crowe by his side. Sadly it went down hill from there as they had to wait until the 78th minute to register points – through a Brad Watts try – and in the process lost captain Adam Muir who was stretchered off in a neck brace. http://www.austarnet.com.au/feeds/sport_report.asp?display=4&story_id=24751&category=news Damn the doomsayers is the feeling in South Sydney as the Rabbitohs begin the countdown to their much-hyped return to the National Rugby League on Friday night. Souths coach Craig Coleman dismissed the legion of critics expecting the Rabbitohs to make a strong start to the year, as they ride the emotion of their revival, before fading towards the business end of the season. He said those already writing the Rabbitohs' obituary were the same ones who failed to predict their Lazarus-like rise from the dead. "They're the same blokes who said we won't get back in so we don't take much notice of them," Coleman said. The doubters aside, Coleman boldly tipped almost exclusive support for the Rabbitohs from the Aussie Stadium crowd at the season-opening derby against the Sydney Roosters. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=league Rugby league has always rewarded rookies and recalcitrants seeking redemption. In tonight's National Rugby League season opener between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium, both will be on show before around 40,000 fans. Wade McKinnon, 21, grew up in a housing estate at Erskine Park in Sydney's outer west. Tonight he will make his first-grade debut for Souths. For the Roosters, former Australian representative Brett Mullins, 30, returns to the NRL after a season of obscurity playing in Britain. SMH South Sydney have lodged a formal complaint against Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald and tonight go into their return season feuding with the title favourites. National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop last night confirmed he had received a letter from Souths president George Piggins hitting out at a rival club's CEO for comments made about the Rabbitohs' future prospects. Gallop did not name Fitzgerald, but when asked if there had been a complaint, replied: "Yes." "I've spoken to the chief executive and told him about it and I put a call back to Souths but didn't hear back from them," Gallop said. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/15/sport/sport10.html Oscar winner Russell Crowe is expected to be on hand for Souths' first official NRL game in more than two years. But the star of Gladiator has handed the starting duties to the club's oldest supporter, Albert Clift, who will ring the bell used to start Souths' first game in 1908 to signal the start of tomorrow night's historic match. Rabbitohs coach Craig Coleman will then rely on his big pack to do some bell-ringing of their own, led by prop Paul Stringer, who has been cleared to play after overcoming a knee injury. The Roosters will rely heavily on captain Brad Fittler to ignite a classy backline, but it is their underrated forward pack which could decide this game. Props Adrian Morley and Andrew Lomu will have plenty of responsibility, while the back row of Luke Ricketson, Bryan Fletcher and Craig Fitzgibbon oozes class. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2908.asp Damn the doomsayers is the feeling in South Sydney as the Rabbitohs begin the countdown to their much-hyped return to the National Rugby League on Friday night. Souths coach Craig Coleman dismissed the legion of critics expecting the Rabbitohs to make a strong start to the year, as they ride the emotion of their revival, before fading towards the business end of the season. He said those already writing the Rabbitohs' obituary were the same ones who failed to predict their Lazarus-like rise from the dead. "They're the same blokes who said we won't get back in so we don't take much notice of them," Coleman said. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,87429-2-19,00.html South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Paul Stringer is to play in tonight’s National Rugby League season opener against the Sydney Roosters despite doctors orders to sit out the match. Stringer is suffering from a knee injury and will defy medical staff to play in the Rabbitohs first official NRL game since 1999. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43530 South Sydney president George Piggins has lodged a formal complaint with National Rugby League chief executive David Gallop over comments made by Parramatta chief Denis Fitzgerald. According to a leading Sydney newspaper, Piggins is furious with comments Fitzgerald is alleged to have made to Rabbitohs chief executive Paul Dunn over the long term viability of the Souths club. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43520 The National Rugby League (NRL) season begins tonight with South Sydney playing its first premiership match since 1999. Souths will play the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium. A crowd of around 40,000 people is expected to turn out for the match. Souths coach Craig Coleman says his team and supporters cannot wait for the match to begin. "Everyone is just looking forward to playing again, I know the players are, I know the staff are, I know the supporters are," he said. It's been a very, very long fight, it has been a tough fight." http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/03/item20020315090722_1.htm Coach Craig Coleman has predicted the Rabbitohs to have almost exclusive support in their season-opening NRL clash against the Roosters at Aussie Stadium on Friday night. Less than 1000 tickets remain for the Rabbitohs’ grand return to the NRL. If it holds 42,000, 40,000 will be Souths, Coleman said. The Roosters haven't got a big supporter base. What's the Roosters' season-ticket holders? About 1500. But Coleman warned that all the emotion surrounding the Rabbitohs wouldn’t be enough to make the season a success and the side would have to rely on its footballing abilities. http://www.austarnet.com.au/feeds/sport_report.asp?display=4&story_id=24702&category=news The South Sydney Rabbitohs intend to use their historic return to the National Rugby League competition tonight to make a statement. The Rabbitohs will lock horns with fellow foundation club the Roosters in the opening game of the new season. Spurred on by criticism that they will provide little more than nuisance value, Rabbitohs hooker Jason Death said his team intends to make the knockers sit up and take notice. "We believe we can be a competitive force and we want to prove that from the outset," Death said yesterday. "The Roosters are a definite top eight, if not top four team, they have been in the finals most years and if we can do the business against them then I think people will recognise that we aren't just here to make up the numbers." http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=national&category=general%20sport&story_id=134915&y=2002&m=3 Adrian Morley insists little sympathy will be on show when South Sydney Rabbitohs mark their return to NRL action with a clash against his Sydney Roosters side. "It's good to see them back, but we are there to ruin the party and take two points off Souths," said the Great Britain international. "Everybody will be behind them and there will be 40,000 there on Friday, but we are not going there to make the numbers up." "I'm chomping at the bit and I can't wait to get out there and play " Adrian Morley The Rabbitohs were kicked out of the NRL following a controversial shake-up at the end of 1999 season. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/rugby_league/newsid_1873000/1873053.stm SOUTH Sydney utility forward Shane Rigon will start on the bench against his former club, Sydney Roosters, in one of the biggest matches of his rugby league career at Aussie Stadium tonight. A sell-out crowd is expected to see the Rabbitohs make their official NRL return from two years in exile and expectations are high that they will enjoy better fortunes than their last appearance in the NRL in 1999. On that occasion Souths were beaten 34-16 by Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium before being dumped from the competition. http://www.thewest.com.au/20020315/sport/tw-sport-home-sto48677.html REPRESENTATIVE backrowers Bryan Fletcher and Luke Ricketson are heading for a career change with the Roosters. It won't happen against Souths tonight but coach Ricky Stuart has told them they'll be playing in the front row at different stages of the season. He wants them to pinch-hit at prop to maintain the pack's mobility. "It also gives me the option of going with only one prop on the bench," Stuart said. "I toyed with the idea of starting the season against Souths with Fletch and Ricko moving to prop for a while but it won't happen tonight. "With both of them capable of playing prop if there's an injury, I won't be caught short. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3954001%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html SOUTHS front-rower Paul Stringer was told by doctors only last week he should not expect to play football again until May. But tonight - after a recovery described as a "miracle" - Stringer will run out for the Rabbitohs in their comeback premiership match against the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium. Stringer, who joined Souths from the Northern Eagles, snapped the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a trial game against North Queensland less than two weeks ago. The injury occurred when his shinbone was sickeningly pushed back in a tackle and his knee popped. His amazing return typifies the passion and determination among the Souths players - desperate to give the club some early season momentum. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3953997%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html SYDNEY ROOSTERS have warned South Sydney the goodwill surrounding their return will come to an abrupt end at Aussie Stadium tonight. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3955093%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html THE careers of Ricky Stuart and Craig Coleman come full circle tonight. In 1988, Coleman was there to welcome Stuart to the playing ranks. At Aussie Stadium tonight, Coleman and his South Sydney side will provide the reception for Stuart's first-grade coaching debut with the Sydney Roosters. They meet in the most anticipated season kickoff for years. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3952302%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html A chance phone call to South Sydney chief executive Paul Dunn has pitched Rabbitohs utility forward Shane Rigon into one of the biggest matches of his rugby league career. Rigon will start on the bench against his former club - the Sydney Roosters - at Aussie Stadium tonight as the Rabbitohs make their official NRL return from two years in exile. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2906.asp WHEN Adam Muir leads South Sydney down the players tunnel at Aussie Stadium tonight, the pulse of winter will start beating for another year. The cold months might still be buried under another calendar page or two but for those who mark their seasons by the trample of football boots on the dressingroom floor, this is the day. For the NRL it is a particularly important year, and appropriately the season kicks off with South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters in a match that embodies everything old and new about the game. http://sport.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,3947182%255E5927,00.html 13 Mar 2002 South Sydney prop Paul Stringer is set to defy doctor's advice and a wobbly knee and play in Friday night's National Rugby League season opener against the Sydney Roosters. Stringer tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the Rabbitohs' trial game against North Queensland just over a week ago. He was originally expected to miss up to four weeks, but has made a remarkable recovery and was yesterday selected in the Rabbitohs squad for the game against the Roosters at Aussie Stadium. Coach Craig Coleman has named an 18-man squad for the match, however, youngster Scott Geddes will drop out if Stringer takes his place as expected. "The doctor said to me I should have wait three to four weeks," Stringer said yesterday. "I'm not going to miss out on this game. I have no problem. It's just a bit wobbly when I am running." http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2888.asp 12 Mar 2002 South Sydney have announced their side to tackle local rivals the Sydney Roosters this Friday night in the National Rugby League curtain raiser at Aussie Stadium. The Rabbitohs, as expected, have named an experienced forward pack led by captain Adam Muir and former Newcastle Knights premiership player Glenn Grief. In somewhat of a surprise, Souths coach Craig Coleman has opted for former Sharks back rower Luke Stuart ahead of Shane Rigon at lock, with forwards also filling out the rest of the Rabbitohs bench positions. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43464 Help fill the stadium with red and green passion and emotion on Friday night at Aussie Stadium when Souths make their much awaited return against the Roosters. You can purchase tickets to Friday night’s big match through ticketek (link) or at Souths Leagues Club, 265 Chalmers Street, REDFERN. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=19 BILL HARRIGAN has been appointed to control Friday night's NRL season opener between South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters at the SFS. Harrigan, the game's No.1 whistleblower, beat off the challenge of Paul Simpkins, who controlled the Charity Shield match between Souths and St George Illawarra last month. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3937319%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 11 Mar 2002 The NRL season opening clash between South Sydney and Sydney Roosters is set to be televised live on Channel Nine throughout NSW if the final 3,000 tickets sellout by the end of the week. Contray to reports over a week ago, there's still tickets available for the clash, which is encouraging for Sydney Roosters supporters who were only allocated 1,600 tickets for its members. Souths will play their first match since 1999 and are currently enjoying a great bandwagon of support, which will hopefully last. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5572 There are moves for Friday night's season opener against Sydney to be broadcast live on television and radio if the remaining 3000 tickets are sold. "I know that 2GB will be calling the game if we can sell it out," South Sydney chief executive Paul Dunn said last night. "And the television are thinking about doing the same. ABC [radio] covered the Charity Shield, so I would imagine they would be interested, too." But unless Channel 9 moves its popular Burke's Backyard , all three broadcasts may fall through. Nine prevents Friday night games being covered by radio because of concerns it eats into its audience for the delayed telecast. An NRL spokesman said he had no knowledge of the network contemplating a live telecast this Friday. In any case, Dunn expects a sell-out. "You can go to the first game of the season any year but you can only see Souths' return once," he said. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/11/sport/sport23.html CHANNEL Nine is poised to flick Burke's Backyard and show Friday night's historic NRL match between South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters live at 7.30pm. The Daily Telegraph understands Souths, the NRL and Nine will meet to discuss live coverage if the match is a 40,000 sellout at Aussie Stadium. As of late yesterday, more than 37,000 tickets had been sold for Souths' return match. If Nine screens the match live, radio stations 2GB and ABC would be permitted to call the game. Pay television operators Fox Sports and Optus, though, will not be allowed to cover the match live. Nine traditionally shows the Friday night match on a one-hour delay, starting at 8.30pm. But it is understood Nine's only concern in showing live rugby league this Friday is where it would reschedule the high-rating Burke's Backyard. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3926976%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 10 Mar 2002 South Sydney chairman George Piggins says that a move back to Redfern Oval could happen within three years. Speaking at the Rabbitohs’s season launch last night, Piggins said that work has already been done to ensure the long term future of the ground and area. “Obviously if we get the crowds we will stay at Aussie Stadium, after all it is a world class venue,” said Piggins. "But if we don’t get the sellout crowds often, we will head back to Redfern. “I would imagine a move there would be completed in about 2-3 years,” he concluded. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43407 Channel Nine commentator and former international Peter Sterling loves the fact South Sydney are back, but he has news for the Rabbitohs: only Wests Tigers can save them from the wooden spoon this season. Sterling, one of the game's leading analysts, says he is hoping he's wrong, but he believes that over the course of a long season Souths will begin to struggle and end up in a photo-finish for last place. "I don't mean this as a criticism," Sterling said yesterday. "I'm not having a go at Souths. I think it's great that they're back, but no-one should expect miracles. "I think they've done a fabulous job to assemble the squad that they've got, considering that they had to start from scratch, and at this stage they probably have every right to be confident of having a good year. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/10/sport/sport13.html The jumpers to be worn by the 17 South Sydney players against the Roosters in less than a week have been sold for a total of $51,000 at the clubs season launch at Randwick last Friday night. Each jumper went for $3,000 and the money raised will go straight into the football club coffers to help the Rabbitohs in their rebirth as a football club in the big time. After the match against the Roosters this coming Friday night, the jumpers will be signed by the players and put into a frame. Meanwhile, former Australian Test halfback and Channel Nine commentator Peter Sterling believes South Sydney will be one of the leading contenders for the wooden spoon and only the Wests Tigers could prevent them from the dreaded honour. Lack of depth and the grind of the long season are the two main reasons Sterling points to for Souths finishing in the bottom ring of clubs. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5562 9 Mar 2002 Souths president George Piggins has come out and said that the Rabbitohs should have received a standing ovation at the official NRL season launch on Wednesday night. When Souths were introduced to the 400-guest party, they were met with the same applause as the other 14 Telstra Premiership clubs. But that is the case now for Piggins and Souths. They are just one of the 15 clubs now and the football season will be kicking off in earnest next weekend. Souths have enjoyed more publicity than the other NRL teams put together over the last few months. League Week brought out a special publication, which was devoted to Souths. The Daily Telegraph had a Souths souvenir edition on the day of the Charity Shield clash against St.George-Illawarra. The fighting qualities and spirit displayed by Souths in their battle against News Limited in the last two years has been nothing short of inspirational. But the buck must stop now where the energies of Souths go back into playing football and doing the best they can on and off the field to ensure they are a long-term success. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5542 Questions remain over South Sydney's return, says PETER JESSUP. The focus of attention in the National Rugby League this year will be the Lazarus act of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The club that was part of Sydney's first league in 1908 beat all expectations and the might of Murdoch's money men to force a return to the field this year after being thrown out in 1999. The big interest is whether they can hold on to the financial backers, the fans and the sponsors who have taken them this far, with a team that looks set to struggle. Souths are what league is, and has always been about, battling working-class mates. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=1190656&thesection=sport&thesubsection=rugbyleague South Sydney president George Piggins has taken his National Rugby League rivals to task over what he claimed was a failure to acknowledge the club's achievements. Piggins, speaking at the launch of his book `Never Say Die: The Fight to Save the Rabbitohs', slammed the other NRL clubs after Souths failed to receive a standing ovation at last night's premiership launch. When host Ray Warren made special mention of the Rabbitohs it was met with warm applause, but it was tame in comparison to the reception reserved for special guest Pat Rafter, the Australian of the Year. Piggins said Souths should have received far greater acknowledgement for what it had done for sport, and rugby league in particular. "What South Sydney has done for sport is show that sport belongs to the people," Piggins said. "It deserved a standing ovation, but we failed to get that. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguesouths THE Burgess family are ardent supporters of South Sydney and have spent thousands of dollars on the game over the years. Since Christmas, Sue Burgess estimates they have spent $364 on merchandise. And that's in the off-season. "Some people think we're fruit loops, but we really love this game," she said. Christmas presents are jerseys showing new team sponsors, calendars, key rings and socks displaying the green and red. The family, from Bluehaven on the Central Coast, economise by buying a family ticket to Souths' home games, which costs $950 a year, and take along their own sandwiches to save money. "We went to the zoo the other day, and it cost us $300, with parking, ferry tickets, entry and lunch," she said. "The (football) season is such good value." http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3913091%255E2771,00.html 5 Mar 2002 In their final trial match before the 2002 premiership kick-off the Rabbitohs pushed through sapping heat and humidity in Mackay to record the club’s first official win since July 1999. The Rabbitohs stormed home in the final stages to overpower the home team in the difficult conditions. Fijian born Noah Sete scoring a try in the final minutes to give Souths a 22-20 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in the weekend Country Carnival. Fellow young Rabbitohs Scott McLean, Nathan Merritt and Jamie Fitzgerald also posted tries. Coach Craig Coleman praised his side’s effort. “It was very humid and hot so the boys had to push through the pain barrier” Coleman said and highlighted the outstanding performance of captain Adam Muir. The team’s next match will be their historic return to the NRL premiership when they play the Roosters at Aussie Stadium, Friday March 15. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=14 South Sydney will have their first grade depth tested immediately, as injuries threaten the Rabbitohs forward pack in the lead up to the National Rugby League season opener against the Sydney Roosters. Paul Stringer is battling to be fit for round one, the former Northern Eagles prop strained knee ligaments against the Cowboys in the Country Carnival on Saturday night. While Souths medical staff originally diagnosed that Stringer's medial strain would keep him on the sidelines for four weeks, scans yesterday revealed the problem isn't as bad as was first thought and Stringer could be available for round one. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43281 Prop Paul Stringer may be in doubt for the season-opener, but the Rabbitohs remain hopeful he will recover in time. Stringer sustained a knee injury in Saturday night’s 22-20 Country Carnival trial win over the North Queensland Cowboys, and has less than two weeks to prove his fitness for the March 15 clash with the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium. Initial fears after the injury suggested he would be out for up to six weeks, but an MRI scan on Monday has given officials hope he may yet take his place in the absence of several other forwards. "It's a bit of a wait and see," football manager Sean Garlick said of the injury that is believed to be to the posterior cruciate. "It all depends on how he pulls up tomorrow. He's a chance of playing in the first round." http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=24292 South Sydney officials were confident yesterday they could pull one more rabbit out of their hat, with prop Paul Stringer a chance of playing in the National Rugby League club's opening premiership game on March 15. Stringer suffered a knee injury in the Rabbitohs' 22-20 win over North Queensland on Saturday night in Mackay and it was initially feared the former Northern Eagles forward would be sidelined for six weeks. But after an MRI scan yesterday, club officials were hopeful Stringer would be fit to play against the Sydney Roosters in the season opener at Aussie Stadium in just under two weeks' time. The club is already facing a dangerous shortage of forwards, with Jamie Fitzgerald out for at least three weeks with ankle ligament damage, Frank Puletua suffering from a bruised knee and Anthony Colella yet to play due to medial ligament damage. "It's a bit of a wait and see," football manager Sean Garlick said yesterday. "It all depends on how he pulls up tomorrow. He's a chance of playing in the first round." http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_2853.asp South Sydney officials were confident on Monday they could pull one more rabbit out of their hat, with prop Paul Stringer a chance of playing in the National Rugby League club's opening premiership game on March 15. Stringer suffered a knee injury in the Rabbitohs' 22-20 win over North Queensland on Saturday night in Mackay and it was initially feared the former Northern Eagles forward would be sidelined for six weeks. But after an MRI scan on Monday, club officials were hopeful Stringer would be fit to play against the Sydney Roosters in the season opener at Aussie Stadium in just under two weeks' time. The club is already facing a dangerous shortage of forwards, with Jamie Fitzgerald out for at least three weeks with ankle ligament damage, Frank Puletua suffering from a bruised knee and Anthony Colella yet to play due to medial ligament damage. "It's a bit of a wait and see," football manager Sean Garlick said. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=league 4 Mar 2002 South Sydney head into the opening round clash against arch-rivals Sydney Roosters on Friday March 15 with four of their leading forwards battling injury. The most serious concern is backrower Jamie Fitzgerald who is out for the next 3-4 weeks with ankle ligament damage. Prop Frank Puletua is struggling with a bruised knee but should be right for the Roosters clash. Backrower Anthony Colella is yet to play a game this year after suffering a serious knee injury when playing for the Raiders last year. There's also doubt over prop Paul Stringer and there were fears that he would be out for the next six weeks. However the news was better today after an MRI scan where officials are hopeful the former Northern Eagles prop will be right for the big clash at the SFS. Souths enjoyed a 22-20 victory against North Queensland in Mackay during the Country Carnival in the clubs other two trial matches drew 20-all against St George in the Charity Shield and narrowly lost 24-20 to the Warriors in Auckland. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5481 SOUTH Sydney coach Craig Coleman last night claimed his players had burst "through the pain barrier" to record the club's first official win in 965 days. Fijian-born Rabbitoh Noah Sete scored a try in the final minutes to give Souths a 22-20 Country Carnival win over North Queensland in Mackay. It was Souths' first official win since beating Balmain 22-12 at the SFS on July 11, 1999. In this year's pre-season, Souths have recorded a draw with St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield and a narrow loss to New Zealand last week. Coleman praised his side's effort during a match played in sapping heat and humidity. "It was very humid and hot so the boys had to push through the pain barrier," Coleman said. "We stormed home and finished on top of them over the last 15 minutes. "It was a real good hitout for us. Adam Muir was outstanding." SMH The South Sydney Rabbitohs have defeated the North Queensland Cowboys 22-20 before a crowd of just over 10,000 in Mackay on Saturday night. The Cowboys led for the majority of the game after letting Scott McLean in for an early try in the first half but then coming back to lead at half time 16-10 through some great work down the right side by Origin star John Doyle and Josh Hannay. With 20 minutes to go the Cowboys were in control and up 20-10 but then a complaint from Rabbitohs coach Craig Coleman over the referring, seeing a change in referees. It was first planned that NRL referee Tim Mander would take the first half and local Mackay referee Lindsay Luck would take the second half but after Coleman's complaint Mander come back on for the last twenty minutes all but killing the Cowboys momentum with some rather dubious decisions. Souths hit back with a converted try to make it 20-16 with less then 10 minutes left on the clock and then despite some tough Cowboys defence the Rabbitohs were able to force there way over in the dying seconds under the posts, a try which was converted by Scott McLean and gave the South Sydney Rabbitohs a lucky two point victory. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5463 3 Mar 2002 South Sydney broke through for the first win of their comeback when they came from behind to edge North Queensland in a trial match at Mackay last night. The Rabbitohs, who had drawn with St George Illawarra and lost narrowly to the New Zealand Warriors in their only other trial appearances, looked like just missing out again. But a try from prop Noah Sete two minutes from full-time pulled them level at 20-20 with the Cowboys and gave winger Scott McLean a chance to win the game with a conversion attempt. McLean and the other goal kickers at the club have been performing poorly so far this season, but some expert coaching from former Socceroo Graham Arnold must be having an effect because McLean kicked the goal to give the Rabbitohs their win. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/03/sport/sport7.html South Sydney have generated $1.25 million through the sale of football club memberships and season-ticket packages for 2002. They now have 20,000 football club members - compared to just 3,000 when they were kicked out of the competition in 1999. The figures are yet another indication of how incredibly positive the public is about the Rabbitohs' return to the National Rugby League. The last 10,000 tickets available for Souths' first-round game against the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium on March 15 went on sale yesterday and began disappearing quickly. The match will be a sell-out of around 41,000, following the 36,000 plus crowd the Rabbitohs attracted to a trial game against St George Illawarra on February 16. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/03/sport/sport11.html A try in the final minutes from Fijian youngster Noah Sete has given South Sydney a 22-20 win over North Queensland at Mackay. Winger Scott McLean converted the try to hand the Rabbitohs victory following their Charity Shield draw with St George Illawarra and last week's 24-20 loss to New Zealand Warriors. McLean kicked three goals, in a marked improvement for the Rabbitohs, who missed all five shots at goal in their loss to the Warriors. North Queensland - without injured fullback Tim Brasher (elbow) - looked strong and led 20-10 at half-time. But Souths hit back in the last quarter with tries to winger Nathan Merritt and Sete to snatch the game. http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=24213 THESE are the secret plans that reveal South Sydney's desire to return to Redfern Oval is not just a dream . . . but a step closer to reality. If you thought Souths chairman George Piggins fought hard to rejuvenate his Rabbitohs, wait until you see how hard he is prepared to fight to rejuvenate the South Sydney district. Centrepiece of Piggins' dream is a $40 million redevelopment of the Rabbitohs' famous old ground into a 20,000-seat Redfern Stadium. The Souths saviour is looking at a time frame of four years before his team is back playing out of Redfern. "It means a terrible lot for Souths to go back to Redfern," Piggins said of the Rabbitohs' push to return to the club's spiritual home. "When I was a youngster, one of the biggest things you always wanted to do was go to Redfern Oval and play for Souths – it was the same with the McCarthys, Stevens, Cootes and Saits . . . it's all they ever wanted. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3877437%255E2771,00.html The South Sydney Rabbitohs have won their first National Rugby League clash since being re-instated into the senior premiership. The Rabbitohs tonight came from behind to down the North Queensland Cowboys 22-20 at Mackay. The side had previously drawn the Charity Shield clash 20-20 with St George-Illawarra, and were narrowly beaten by the New Zealand Warriors. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43251 1 Mar 2002 South Sydney fans are set to miss out on tickets for the club's premiership comeback match in a fortnight, with the Rabbitohs' army of members about to snap up all the seats before they go on public sale. And with Souths members able to buy up to six tickets each, there is even a danger fellow club members will not be able to get into the game. Souths members, who total 22,000, have been able to buy tickets for the March 15 game since Wednesday. Apart from two bays of 800 seats each reserved for Sydney Roosters season-ticket holders, the Rabbitoh army has almost filled the Sydney Football Stadium already. The exclusive arrangement, one of the main selling points in the Rabbitohs' remarkably successful membership campaign that is being replicated by rival clubs, ends at 5pm today - but by then it will probably be too late for anyone else wanting to book seats through Ticketek. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0203/01/sport/sport1.html The National Rugby League season opener between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters is expected to be a sellout. The match will be played at Aussie Stadium on March 15th, and will be the Rabbitohs first NRL premiership match since their round 26 encounter with the Parramatta Eels in 1999. Tickets have been on sale for members since Wednesday, and will be available to the general public from tomorrow morning. However, there are fears that the public may miss out on tickets, with members quickly snapping up seats over the past two days. The Rabbitohs have approximately 22,000 members, all of which are allowed to purchase six tickets each. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=43217 |
