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25 November 2002 Mario Fenech, the man known as "Test Match" because of his fierce competitiveness, has agreed to help his old club, in the Rabbitohs' quest for Rugby League glory. Fenech, who played more than 180 games in the Red and Green, will work with the forwards, where he played with such distinction for his long career. It will mean the reunion of three great former Souths players with Fenech joining his former teammates Craig Coleman and Phil Blake on the coaching side of things. According to interim C.E.O David Tapp, Fenech's role will be to come along to training once a week and work with our forward pack. "I have been talking to Mario for some time and I'm rapt that he's helping out. "Mario will be able to instil some of that never-say-die spirit and all the attributes into our players which made him such a fearsome competitor," says Tapp. As for Fenech, he says: "I'm excited to be able to do what I can to help my old club out and joining up with my great mates Blakey and Tugger". http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=181 17 November 2002 Actor Russell Crowe's altercation in a London restaurant started after he made racist remarks about the New Zealand Warriors rugby league team, it was claimed yesterday. And the Sydney-based Oscar winner faced more trouble last night after allegations from a fellow guest at the Japanese eatery that his behaviour had been "despicable". Georgie Calder, 21, claimed the star had been acting "like a total and utter pig" moments before violence erupted at the trendy Zuma Japanese restaurant last week. Crowe, an ardent supporter of South Sydney rugby league club, described the Warriors as "a bunch of coconuts" or "darkies", according to The New Zealand Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/16/1037080962180.html 15 November 2002 South Sydney supporter Russell Crowe and New Zealand Warriors owner Eric Watson fought each other on in an impromptu brawl in a London restaurant, according to reports. Apparently the fight broke out in the men's room of Zuma, a London eatery popular with celebrities and high flyers. The two had to be separated and early indications are that Crowe was coming off second best before his body guard stepped in. It is unclear who began the fight or for what reason the trouble began but Crowe is said to have been behaving in a rowdy manner prior to the altercation. There is, however, every possibility that a difference of opinion revolving around the fortunes of the two men's respective rugby league teams could have sparked the squabble. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=46008 13 November 2002 The minute Craig Coleman heard that Roosters players had offered to pay to keep Bryan Fletcher at the club next season, he decided the former Test second-rower would be Souths' next captain. As the Rabbitohs' most accomplished recruit, Fletcher was already under consideration to replace the retired Adam Muir. And the fact that he had played for the club at junior level and been a life-long Souths supporter weighed heavily in his favour. But the lengths his teammates were prepared to go to in order to keep him convinced Coleman to give Fletcher the job ahead of veteran hooker Jason Death and second-rower Andrew Hart, who had regularly stood in as skipper last season when Muir had been unavailable. "I've known 'Fletch' a long time," Coleman said at a media conference yesterday to announce the appointment. "He played Jersey Flegg with Souths, and he's always had a bit of South Sydney in him. [But] I think it speaks volumes for him that the Roosters players wanted to throw in out of their own pocket to keep him there, and you can already see amongst the young blokes ... he's got that presence about him." Sporting his "summer hairstyle", a relaxed Fletcher said he felt honoured to be following in the footsteps of Rabbitohs greats such as Clive Churchill and John Sattler, and predicted a successful season for the club. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/11/12/1037080732751.html 12 November 2002 The AMNRL have closed out the 2002 Season with an exciting tour of the USA by Souths Juniors from Australia. The famous foundation club from Australia toured America for the first time and played matches in Philadelphia and Conneticut. The USA Tomahawks took on the Rabbits at Interboro High School Sports Complex. It was the first Rugby League event in the Interboro area and the match proved to be highly successful with a good crowd in attendance. The Rabbits ran out winners by 36-16 but not before being tested by the improving Tomahawks on a chilly November evening in Pennsylvania. The match was refereed by Doug Keen from Australia who conducted referee courses whilst in town in an effort to continue the development of American match officials. Best players on the night for the Tomahawks were the fast improving young Sharks prop Justin Zadnik and Danny Bull from the New York Knights, who has been undoubtedly the find of the season in the backline for the Tomahawks. After visiting Philadelphia the Souths squad moved on to New York City to take in Manhattan and play against a New York Knights outfit that was comprised of many players to join the newly established Conneticut Panthers. The match was played in Norwalk, Conneticut and proved to be a tremendous boost for Rugby League inthat region. The Knights fought hard all the way before going down 44-18 to a determined and more experienced Rabbitohs squad. http://www.amnrl.com/news/110902.html The South Sydney Rabbitohs is pleased to announce that Bryan Fletcher has been appointed Club Captain. The Test and State of Origin veteran says he's "proud and delighted" to be awarded such an honour. "I always followed Souths as a kid and played for Souths' Flegg and Ball teams, so just to be playing with the club, let alone captain it is a fantastic thing," he says. "Just look at the names that have captained this great club…Churchill, Rayner, Sattler, McCarthy, Piggins and other greats. It's an honour to be in their company." According to head coach Craig Coleman, Fletcher was a natural choice for the most important appointment of captain. "He's mature, he's played at the very highest levels, he has the respect of his peers and he is rapt to be at this club. Fletch knows what has to be done and how to get it done," says Coleman. "I've known this bloke for a long time and our team will have a leader who cares about the players, a leader who cares about his team and a leader who cares about Souths." But the last word goes to Captain Fletcher. "I can assure all the fans that this is a totally different team to the one last season and we will be very competitive. In fact, I'm confident we'll do very well." http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=174 New South Sydney recruit Bryan Fletcher has been named as captain for the 2003 season. Fresh from NRL Grand Final success with the Sydney Roosters, Fletcher takes over from retiring Rabbitohs captain Adam Muir. "It’s a big honour," said Fletcher, "and I am going to do my best." The New South Wales representative second rower was signed by Souths after the Roosters released him citing salary cap restrictions. Fletcher is one the bigger names amongst the Rabbitohs' signings for the new season. South Sydney's other signings include Ashley Harrison, Chris and Shane Walker from Brisbane, and Willie Peters from St George Illawarra. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=45991 Last season Bryan Fletcher's team won the competition, on Tuesday it was announced he would captain 2002's worst performed outfit. It's a huge challenge for the 28-year-old former Rooster, and with South Sydney recruiting eight new faces for the 2003 National Rugby League season, he'll be one the most experienced men on the paddock. But while Fletcher has only been with the Rabbitohs for a week, the affable back-rower said he was looking forward to leading by example on the field. "I think I'll probably be the captain that sort of does that (lead by example), I'm not one for big speeches or pepping the boys up so I'll lead by my actions," said the South Sydney junior. "There's no doubt it's going to be a challenge. We are not going to say we are going to go out and win the competition next year - we realise it's going to be tough. "But the guys we have bought and the guys we have here are quality players - we will surprise a few people." The new recruits include Chris and Shane Walker, Ashley Harrison, Lee Hookey, Justin Smith and Willie Peters. Last year Adam Muir captained the Rabbitohs but injury and poor form meant that Andrew Hart was handed the job mid-season. Fletcher said his apprenticeship under former Test skipper Brad Fittler at the Roosters had stood him in good stead. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,147045-2-19,00.html NEW recruit Bryan Fletcher was today named captain of the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2003 National Rugby League season. Fletcher, who last season played with the premiership winning Sydney Roosters, said he was honoured to be named captain and looked forward to leading the team to greater success in next season's competition. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5472863%255E23214,00.html PARRAMATTA chief executive Denis Fitzgerald has controversially forecast Manly, Souths and Melbourne will be axed from the competition and replaced by teams from the central coast and New Zealand. And Fitzgerald also said the NRL should immediately open amalgamation discussions with the Australian Rugby Union. Fitzgerald told of his sensational plan to a Leagues Club conference on the Gold Coast. However, Fitzgerald's comments have infuriated officials from Manly, South Sydney and the Storm. "The NRL has to look to the future," Fitzgerald told The Daily Telegraph last night. "It is ridiculous to have 15 teams. We have to get back to a maximum of 14 although 12 is the ideal number. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5469004%255E2771,00.html 10 November 2002 The AMNRL have closed out the 2002 Season with an exciting tour of the USA by Souths Juniors from Australia. The famous foundation club from Australia toured America for the first time and played matches in Philadelphia and Conneticut. The USA Tomahawks took on the Rabbits at Interboro High School Sports Complex. It was the first Rugby League event in the Interboro area and the match proved to be highly successful with a good crowd in attendance. The Rabbits ran out winners by 36-16 but not before being tested by the improving Tomahawks on a chilly November evening in Pennsylvania. The match was refereed by Doug Keen from Australia who conducted referee courses whilst in town in an effort to continue the development of American match officials. Best players on the night for the Tomahawks were the fast improving young Sharks prop Justin Zadnik and Danny Bull from the New York Knights, who has been undoubtedly the find of the season in the backline for the Tomahawks. After visiting Philadelphia the Souths squad moved on to New York City to take in Manhattan and play against a New York Knights outfit that was comprised of many players to join the newly established Conneticut Panthers. The match was played in Norwalk, Conneticut and proved to be a tremendous boost for Rugby League inthat region. The Knights fought hard all the way before going down 44-18 to a determined and more experienced Rabbitohs squad. Best for the Knights were US Internationals, Danny Bull, Mike Mulvihill, Greg Stelutti and flying winger Dave Hancock. The Souths squad will visit San Francisco and Hawaii before returning to Australia. The AMNRL have enjoyed the most exciting and expansive season in the history of Rugby League in the USA having hosted five internaional squads from Ireland, Japan, England, New Zealand and Australia, and also touring Russia in 2002. The AMNRL Club competition looks to be expanding in 2003 and news of new teams is to be announced in the coming weeks. The USA Tomahawks unearthed a number of exciting young stars and the efforts by the AMNRL to use only domestic based players for international matches this year will pay off in the future. http://www.amnrl.com/news/110902.html 8 November 2002 Over the past four years, South Sydney D.R.L.F.C's membership numbers have risen from about 300 to more than 23,000, the highest in the N.R.L. Of course this club's famous battle had much to do with raising the awareness and need for strength in numbers. Well, that need continues to this very day. It is a real tribute to Rabbitoh fans everywhere that so many of you have enough love and compassion for the Rabbitohs that you have made a conscious decision to become a member and hopefully, continue to do so. The importance of membership with the Football Club is two-fold. It gives us strength in numbers and demonstrates to the sporting world that Souths is a force. It has very little to do with fund raising. In fact, the cost of servicing members (magazine production, mail-outs, key rings and other merchandise and the website) is barely covered by the membership costs. It's also important to remain a member because it's the only way that you can earn your democratic right to vote for the Board and have a say in which direction the club will go. It is important for Souths to stay in touch with supporters and, as members, keep you informed. That is my policy and I intend for it to be carried out. We all learned the lesson over the past few years that it's only by people sticking to their guns and sticking together that we can overcome the highest hurdles. - http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=172 Chris Walker is a happy man... happy that he and his brother Shane are now officially Rabbitohs and happy that he's now able to live with his girlfriend, actress Kate Ritchie, instead of commuting from Brisbane. "Now that I'm at Souths, I intend to play the best football of my career and do all I can to help Souths succeed," says the former Bronco and State of Origin player. "And I know that goes for my brother Shane too," he adds. Chris began training with the first grade squad yesterday (Wednesday, November 6) and Shane will be here in less than two weeks following his upcoming wedding. Today Chris signed his NRL contract with Souths and immediately declared he had high hopes for season 2003. "Souths has bought some very good players and I'm really keen to get right into training and playing alongside these blokes. "I know Souths didn't go too well this season, but I understand the reasons. The club was granted re-entry to the NRL in the middle of the season, everybody understands that most players had already been signed and it was always going to be tough. "But with the quality of player that Souths has signed for season 2003, I really have high expectations... and I want to play my best football too." Chris also heaps great praise on older brother Shane who he describes as "a really good footballer". "He's good with the ball and he can really tackle…and he's a lot of fun. That's very important in a long season of training and playing. Shane's the sort of bloke who can really lift everyone’s spirits," says Chris. Rugby League has been a major part of the lives of the Walker family who originate from Brisbane. http://www.souths.com.au/news/news.php?ID=171 South Sydney signing Chris Walker says he is happy to be a Rabbitoh. Walker, who began training on Wednesday, is looking forward to changing the Rabbitohs fortunes in NRL season 2003, and wants to put rumours of his want to “get-out” of his contract firmly behind him. "Now that I'm at Souths, I intend to play the best football of my career and do all I can to help Souths succeed," said Walker. "Souths has bought some very good players and I'm really keen to get right into training and playing alongside these blokes. "I know Souths didn't go too well this season, but I understand the reasons. The club was granted re-entry to the NRL in the middle of the season, everybody understands that most players had already been signed and it was always going to be tough. "But with the quality of player that Souths has signed for season 2003, I really have high expectations... and I want to play my best football too." Chris’ brother Shane will be joining Souths training in the next couple of weeks once he gets married, while the third Walker brother Ben, looks likely to join Manly next season. http://www. 7 November 2002 South Sydney Junior’s Combined A Grade side has completed two matches of their tour of the United States, defeating both the USA Tomahawks and the New York Knights. In the first match, the South Sydney Combined A grade 36 defeated USA Tomahawks 16 with a scoreline that flattered the Green and Red compared to the effort and enthusiasm put in by the Americans. In the second match the South Sydney Combined A Grade 44 defeated the AMNRL Premiers, New York Knights 18. More details about the matches will be made available as soon as possible. http://nrl.rleague.com/news/index.php?id=9506 6 November 2002 English rugby league club Huddersfield has recruited South Sydney forward Anthony Colella. The powerful 28-year-old, dubbed "Mini Mal" while playing for the Canberra Raiders under coach Mal Meninga, has signed a two-year contract with the Super League side. Colella missed most of last season through injury but Giants coach Tony Smith believes he will have a big impact. "Anthony is a guy who could fill any role in the pack and is extremely strong with good go-forward," Smith said. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2002/news/static/article_4888.asp 1 November 2002 MANLY today will unveil this historic new playing strip - claiming it is a return to the club's traditional colours of maroon and white. In a further boost, the Sea Eagles expect to sign former NRL leading pointscorer Ben Walker next week. The new Sea Eagles jumper is predominantly white with maroon hoops - and no red or blue as has been the case in recent years. Manly's logo will be a contemporary Sea Eagle. The Daily Telegraph yesterday shot this exclusive photo of captain Steve Menzies modelling the new jumper before this morning's launch. "There was a prototype out a while back which had a real light coloured maroon," said Menzies. "It wasn't real flash. "But I really like this jumper. It's back to the traditional Manly jumper." Sea Eagles chief executive Ian Thomson said the design was a joint effort between the club and Classic Sportswear. "We fine-tuned it a few times and this is the final product," Thomson said. "They are traditional Manly colours with a contemporary design." http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,5400879%255E23214,00.html |
