New South Sydney Rabbitohs recruit Glenn Stewart in good form for huge rival clash with Sydney Roosters

Tough new Bunnies back-rower Glenn Stewart will have his first taste of the Roosters v Rabbitohs rivarly in what is marked to be a stellar game this weekend.

Glenn Stewart is presented with his jersey before the Back to Redfern pre-season game between Souths and Northern Pride at Redfern Oval. pic Mark Evans

Former Manly Sea Eagles back-rower Glenn Stewart has found his stride at South Sydney in time for what is set to be a big weekend for the premiers.

The tough new recruit said he had watched the Roosters-Rabbitohs rivalry while playing for his former club, which lost him to the Bunnies after failing to offer him a new contract, and looked forward to “being a part of it”.

Rugby League rivals Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs last played each other at a Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium last year. They are set to divide Sydney when they battle this weekend. Photo: Mark Evans

He said he had overcome past injury worries and was in the best shape he had been for some time.

“It is probably the best physical shape I have been in since I first come into grade I’d imagine,” he said.

When asked if he had dropped some weight he said: “That’s true. From the last good year I had playing I am probably down maybe five kilos or something like that.”

Gifty says he is in great shape ahead of our Round 2 clash with the Roosters: http://t.co/MYcpKG1uOV #GoRabbitohs pic.twitter.com/DDAYRZtkyo

— South Sydney (@SSFCRABBITOHS) March 10, 2015

Stewart fronted a press conference earlier this week in preparation for the match against local rivals Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

When asked how he was settling into the southeast, he said he was still commuting to training but enjoyed the similarities between Manly and southeastern beaches such as Coogee.

Broncos Corey Parker is congratulated by Glenn Stewart for playing his 300th NRL match after the round one NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on March 5. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Image

Souths beat the Roosters, the 2013 premiers, 32-22 in the preliminary final last year.

Both sides started the season on the front foot, with Roosters beating the North Queensland Cowboys 28-4 on Saturday and Rabbitohs crushing the Brisbane Broncos 36-6 last Thursday.

Would you have stayed with the same side for Sunday's showdown with Souths? Let us know your thoughts on this week's Team! #represent

— Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) March 10, 2015

Organisers are hoping for a large crowd of 60,000 fans to pack ANZ Stadium in what is set to be a compelling contest.

Souths owner Russell Crowe with Issac Luke after the Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs Preliminary Final at ANZ Stadium. Photo: Mark Evans

Speaking about the match-up yesterday, prop George Burgess said fans could expect a tactical dance-off.

Burgess himself will face off against Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Other duels include Mitchell Pearce and Adam Reynolds, Michael Jennings and Dylan Walker, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Greg Inglis.