The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their teams for round 6 Centenary Heritage Round of the 2008 NRL Premiership against Wests-Tigers at the Sydney Cricket Ground this Sunday 20th April, with the NRL fixture scheduled to kick off at 3:00pm.
This is 100 years to the day when South Sydney first took the field in the very first premiership match at Birchgrove Oval on Easter Monday April 20 1908.
To commemorate the event, will see the Rabbitohs wear a one off heritage jersey. The design concept behind this jersey and why it is a unique piece we have created to celebrate 100 years of the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The most obvious feature of this jersey is the use of the "Torn Rabbit" logo. During the 1970 Grand final when we won 23-12 against the Manly Sea Eagles John Sattler not only had his Jaw broken but had half the Rabbit ripped off his jersey creating this unique logo. The stripe pattern has also been changed to an even red and green stripe taken directly from the original 1908 14 hoops jersey. The even 1908 striped jerseys were soon changed back to the 2/3rds Myrtle and 1/3rd Cardinal district stripe pattern that we have used until this day. Finally the 2008 Centenary crest designed by Russell Crowe will be on the left sleeve. This crest has been designed to not only celebrate our 100 years of the Rabbitohs but highlight the connection South Sydney Rabbitohs has within the community. The Heritage jersey has been designed to reflect and celebrate 100 years of the Rabbitohs. Starting from 1908 through to 2008 hopefully it is and item all members will enjoy as a unique jersey to celebrate the last 100 years of Souths.
The Rabbitohs’ team is:
1. Talanoa, Fetuli 2. Merritt, Nathan 3. Paulson, Germaine 4. Champion, Beau 5. Hegarty, Shannon 6. Sutton, John 7. Smith, Jeremy 8. Manuokafoa, Manase 9. Ndaira, George 10. Asotasi, Roy (c) 11. Kidwell, David (c) 12. Fa'alogo, Dave 13. Lowe, Ben 14. Falloon, Beau 15. Widders, Dean 16. Stuart, Luke 17. McPherson, Shannon 18. Paea, Eddie 19. Rogers, Ben Coach - Jason Taylor
South Sydney feeder team the North Sydney Bears will play a NSW Cup Round 6 match against Newtown at North Sydney Oval on Saturday Apr 19 kickoff 3:00pm At 100 years, 2 months and 12 days old the North Sydney Club finds itself on top of the table and undefeated and about to face currently it's greatest rival, the Newtown Jets. On Saturday the 19th of April the Bears will face the Jets in the first leg of the Frank Hyde Shield. In the weekend of Rugby Leagues Heritage round this will be a fitting tribute to 2 of Australia's oldest sporting institutions. The main game V Newtown will be preceded at 4:30 p.m. by a tribute to the late & great Frank Hyde. Also in the spirit of the Leagues Heritage Round the Bears NSW Cup team will play in a replica strip of the jersey worn by the North Sydney Club in the 1943 Grand Final. Contested between the Newtown and Norths this was the Frank Hyde lead North Sydney side that attracted record crowds everywhere it played. These jerseys will then be auctioned off to the fans during the remaining season. The following day sees fellow foundation Clubs Western Suburbs and Balmain face off at historic Birchgrove Oval. This will be followed by a ball relay from Birchgrove to the SCG to celebrate 100 years since the first ever Australian Rugby League match held between South Sydney and North Sydney. The Bears NSW Cup side is:
1. Wara, Samu 2. Barnes, Nathaniel 3. Gordon, Yileen 4. Nichols, Greg 5. Tamanika, John 6. Rogers, Ben 7. Herekotukutuku, Charlie 8. Grant, Luke 9. Hunt, Matt 10. Verlinden, Ryan 11. Lowe, Jamian 12. Wynyard, Dave 13. Nasio, Valu Interchange: 14. Sayegh, Daniel 15. Koborsi, John 16. Corrigan, Shaune 17. Russell, Marc 18. Dalton, Sean 23. Williams, Mitch Coach – Wayne Lambkin
The South Sydney Rabbitohs NYC Toyota Cup U20 side will play the Wests-Tigers team starting at 12:45pm. The South Sydney Rabbitohs U20 team is
1. Capewell, Luke 2. Huihahau, Sam 3. Seumanutafa, Malaki 4. Nathan, BJ 5. Cummins, Michael 6. Paea, Eddie 7. Sandow, Chris 8. Kaifoto, John 9. Trotter, Trent 10. Pettybourne, Eddy 11. Hammett, Aaron 12. Farrell, Chris 13. Clark, Jason (c) 14. Matapuku, Joseph 15. Lupi, Brad 16. Leary, Jake 17. Tyrrell, David 18. Williams, Mitch 19. Ingram, Jamie 20. Takarangi, Brad Coach - Alan Wilson