The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their teams for round one of the 2008 NRL Premiership against the Sydney Roosters at the Stadium Australia this Friday 14th March, with the NRL fixture scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm.
More than 1000 school children will be involved in the Rabbitohs season kick-off extravaganza which will be part of the pre-game broadcast of the Season Opener between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters on Channel Nine. The children have been rehearsing for more than a month and will form the numbers 1908 - 2008 on the ANZ Stadium ground to pay homage to Rugby League?s centenary year in the lead-up to the game. Rabbitohs Game Day Producer Dein Perry, who was involved with the Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony said the pre-match entertainment would be worthy of an introduction to the game's 100th year. "This is a presentation that is going to get the fans even more stirred up before the game," he said. "We've been working on this through much of the off season and we are keen to put on a good show. We've been working in conjunction with the NRL to put on what promises to be a wonderful spectacle. Those at the ground will have the best view of the performance while the expected audience of more than one million at home will get a bird's eye view from the helicopter."
In anticipation of the season kick-off and one of the most awaited first round games in recent memory between arch-rivals and foundation clubs the Rabbitohs and the Roosters, the South Sydney Football Club is calling upon office bosses to let their footy fan charges off work early on Friday with a proof of ticket to the game. It is sure to be an historic and highly entertaining night of Rugby League and we want everyone that is planning on coming to the game to get to ANZ Stadium early. With a large crowd expected the Rabbitohs have issued a challenge to office workers to pick a side on Friday and wear your team?s colours into work. Be seen out and proud in the streets as Rugby League celebrates its past 100 years and looks forward to the next 100 years. The first game of the Centenary Season, the Toyota Cup clash between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters kicks off at 5.20pm.
The Rabbitohs and Roosters will play for the Ron Coote Cup.The Rabbitohs’ first grade team is:
1. Talanoa, Fetuli 2. Merritt, Nathan 3. Vagana, Nigel 4. Gordon, Yileen 5. Paulson, Germaine 6. Smith, Jeremy 7. Wing, Craig 8. Greenfield, Michael 9. Luke, Issac 10. Asotasi, Roy (c) 11. Kidwell, David (c) 12. Stuart, Luke 13. Sutton, John 14. Paea, Eddie 15. Widders, Dean 16. Manuokafoa, Manase 17. Lowe, Jaiman Coach - Jason Taylor
South Sydney feeder team the North Sydney Bears will play a NSW Cup Round 1 match against Western Suburbs at Concord Oval Oval on Saturday Mar 15 kickoff 3:00pm The Bears NSW Cup side is:
1. Champion, Beau (c) 2. Barnes, Nathaniel 3. Simpson, Jamie 4. Nichols, Greg 5. Hegarty, Shannon 6. Herekotukutuku, Charlie 7. Russell, Marc 8. Grant, Luke 9. Ndaira, George 10. Geddes, Scott 11. Lowe, Ben 12. Wynyard, Dave 13. McPherson, Shannon Interchange: 14. Verlinden, Ryan 15. Koborsi, John 16. Falloon, Beau 17. Corrigan, Shaune 18. Tamanika, John 19. Dalton, Sean 20. Sayegh, Daniel Coach – Wayne Lambkin
The South Sydney Rabbitohs NYC Toyota Cup U20 side will play the Sydney Roosters team starting at 5:20pm The South Sydney Rabbitohs U20 team is
1. Nathan, BJ 2. Huihahau, Sam 3. Seumanutafa, Malaki 4. Moli, Anga 5. Ingram, Jamie 6. Capewell, Luke 7. Sandow, Chris 8. Kaifoto, John 9. Joseph, John 10. Talai, Robert 11. Hammett, Aaron 12. Pettybourne, Eddy 13. Clark, Jason (c) 14. Trotter, Trent 15. Laula, Hala 16. Lupi, Brad 17. Matapuku, Joseph 18. Farrell, Chris 19. Cummins, Michael Coach - Alan Wilson