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Warrick Nicolson | 07/02/08
AUDIO - Bunnies going in the right direction: Wing
STATE OF PLAY
No team has undergone a more drastic change in fortunes in the past twelve months than the Rabbitohs, who left the Wooden Spoon behind them in 2007 and charged into the Finals in 7th spot.
While a playoff victory proved beyond the Bunnies, they made the entire footballing world take notice by turning around five years of ineptitude in their first season under the Jason Taylor, Peter Holmes á Court and Russell Crowe regime.
Last 3 Finishes:
2005: 13th
2006: 15th
2007: 7th
ROSTER ROUND-UP
South Sydney made headlines during 2007 when they snared Craig Wing back from his eight year ‘loan’ at the Roosters, but his acquisition has been off-set somewhat by the departure of front rower Peter Cusack to Hull in the UK Super League.
While not sharing the same position, Cusack formed arguably the most effective go-forward duo in the NRL with Roy Asotasi and the time and space Wing would have enjoyed behind those two may not eventuate.
Veterans Luke Stuart, Scott Geddes and Jaiman Lowe loom as the men most likely to fill Cusack’s shoes.
But for twin towers Manase Manuokafoa and Michael Greenfield, their chances of cementing a permanent First Grade spot have just skyrocketed as a result. Youngsters Eddy Pettybourne and Luke Grant could also see some action during the season.
There’s no doubt that Asotasi had an enormous impact on the side’s fortunes in 2007, but former Storm second rower David Kidwell definitely added a valuable ‘win at all costs’ mentality to the pack before he suffered his freak knee injury.
David Fa’alogo’s suspension until Round 5 means that Kidwell’s backrow partner for the start of the season could be any one of Dean Widders, Stuart, John Sutton or even Ben Rogers (if he fails in his bid to play five-eighth).
Sutton could play anywhere from the centres to five-eighth to the backrow, and Coach Taylor needs to settle on his best position soon, to start reaping the benefits of his vast talent.
With Wing in town, only one position remains open in the halves going into the Charity Shield clash with St.George-Illawarra.
Taylor doesn’t appear to be any closer to resolving the debate, even after Souths first trial against Leeds in the USA.
Last year, Jeremy Smith lacked the creative spark the team needed when the finals rolled around and Rogers is still a little too inconsistent to rely upon every week.
That opens the door for young Eddy Paea to impress during the rest of the trials, and if teamed with Wing, then South Sydney may finally have their first genuine attacking halves combination since Craig Coleman and Phil Blake in the late 1980s.
Nathan Merritt’s tryscoring gift seemed to abandon him during 2007, but with more playmaking skill inside him the odds are good he will bounce back.
Merritt could also be in line for the fullback role if Beau Champion can’t secure the spot during the pre-season, and Souths playoff fullback Fetuli Talanoa beats out Yileen Gordon for the open centre position beside Nigel Vagana.
That leaves Shannon Hegarty, Germaine Paulson, Sam Huihahau and new signings Nathaniel Barnes, Jamie Simpson and John Tamanika as the other contenders for the other vacancy in the three-quarter line.
After losing Daniel Irvine to retirement and Stuart Webb to the Dragons, South Sydney picked up George Ndaira from the Roosters to backup 2007 rookie sensation Issac Luke at hooker.
STRONGEST LINE-UP
1. CHAMPION, Beau
2. MERRITT, Nathan
3. VAGANA, Nigel
4. TALANOA, Fetuli
5. HEGARTY, Shannon
6. ROGERS, Ben
7. WING, Craig
8. ASOTASI, Roy
9. LUKE, Issac
10. STUART, Luke
11. KIDWELL, David
12. FA’ALOGO, David
13. SUTTON, John
14. WIDDERS, Dean
15. MANUOKAFOA, Manase
16. GREENFIELD, Michael
17. SMITH, Jeremy
FEARLESS FORECAST
Had the club not allowed Cusack to walk, South Sydney fans may have had their sights set on a top 6 finish.
But life may be difficult without such the consistent performer, who gave Roy Asotasi the room to play a little wider when he wanted to.
If someone else can do that job and keep Asotasi free to roam, then that factored in with the return of Kidwell and addition of Wing – the Bunnies should remain in the thick of the playoff race throughout the season.
PREDICTED RECORD: 12-12
PREDICTED FINISH: 7th
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