The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their teams for round 12 of the 2007 NRL Premiership against the Melbourne at Olympic Park this Saturday 2nd June, with the NRL fixture scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm. Souths officials have done everything possible to win over Melbourne this week. Co-owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court have painted the AFL town red and green since arriving on Wednesday, buying full page newspaper adverts and parading their Armani-clad players through Melbourne's trendiest districts. On Wednesday night Crowe led the entire Rabbitohs squad for an Italian meal on Lygon St followed by a private comedy show featuring Nick Giannopoulos, Peter Helliar and Dave Hughes. The unashamedly public display was part of the club's drive to capture a "sliver" of the Melbourne market. "We want to make sure we keep the Rabbitohs as the most well-known brand in rugby league," Holmes a Court said. "We are not out to conquer the town, just to convert a small sliver of it." Given the Storm have taken a decade to lift their average home attendance above 10,000, the task ahead of a Sydney-based team would appear forlorn. Holmes a Court, however, insists it is not. He forked out for a full-page Souths ad in Thursday's Herald Sun and subsequently struck a deal with several Melbourne-based sports stores. "We don't have the great operating expenses the Storm do," he said. "We can service our fans with public appearances and being visible. "I don't think you need to be in a town to have fans in the town, look at Manchester United."
Apart from spreading the Souths gospel, Holmes a Court also met with counterparts from AFL clubs Collingwood and Hawthorn. He makes no secret of coveting Collingwood's all-in-one training and administration hub at the Lexus Centre for Redfern. "It's an example of a club that has built itself around training facilities," Holmes a Court said. "I've always felt that's the way to go."
The Rabbitohs’ team is:
1. Peachey, David 2. Merritt, Nathan 3. Vagana, Nigel 4. Talanoa, Fetuli 5. Hegarty, Shannon 6. Rogers, Ben 7. Smith, Jeremy 8. Cusack, Peter (c) 9. Webb, Stuart 10. Asotasi, Roy (c) 11. Stuart, Luke 12. Fa'alogo, David 13. Widders, Dean 14. Rigon, Shane 15. Galuavo, Joe 16. Manuokafoa, Manese 17. Geddes, Scott Coach - Jason Taylor
South Sydney Reserve Grade feeder team the North Sydney Bears NSW Premier League side will play St George-Illawarra at Kogarah Jubilee Oval starting at Friday Jun 1 5:30pm. Joe Falemaka has a shoulder injury. Wynyard has a broken thumb. The North Sydney Bears team is
1. Simmonds, Reece 2. Gordon, Issac 3. Paulson, Germaine 4. Mellor, Paul 5. Boston, Troy 6. Champion, Beau 7. Williams, Joe 8. Ta'akimoeaka, Conrad 9. Irvine, Daniel 10. Verlinden, Ryan 11. Pettybourne, Eddy 12. McPherson, Shannon 13. Bobongie, Jardine 14. Nasio, Valu 15. Grant, Luke 16. Filipine, Ramon 17. Baird, Bladen 19. Luke, Issac 20. Kaifoto, John 22. Mano, Arnold Coach - Wayne Lambkin
The South Sydney Rabbitohs Jersey Flegg U20 side will play the Balmain at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday Jun 2 starting at 3:30pm The South Sydney Rabbitohs U20 team is
1. El-Zbaidieh, Abbey 2. Ma'afu, Kuki 3. Takokitau, Ray 4. Moli, Anga 5. Coleman, Stephen 6. McKay, David 7. Trotter, Trent 8. Tovo, Sione 9. Seelin, Troy 10. Browne, Tim 11. Iosefo, Joseph 12. Douglas, Jason 13. Fale, Fonua 14. Fo'ouakau'ola, Halu 15. North, Chad 16. Barakat, Nathan 17. Matapuku, Joey Coach - John Amatto