South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire hands out jerseys to Juniors side ahead of SG Ball season

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire took a break from worries surrouding a fresh NRL Integrity Unit investigation to hand out jerseys to Juniors on Thursday afternoon.

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THE turbulence of a fresh NRL Integrity Unit investigation was far from Michael Maguire’s mind as he stood in a sweaty Souths Juniors gym surveying the next generation of league talent.

The Rabbitohs coach took some time out on Thursday afternoon to present the premier team’s junior representative side with jerseys during training at Erskineville Oval.

Among the recipients was captain and 98kg second rower Sifa Talakai, who is slated to join the Bunnies’ under 20s squad at the ­completion of this year’s SG Ball season.

Talakai, 17, from Mascot, said Souths Juniors preparation for the coming season had been solid.

“We’re just trying to bring it to the next level,” Talakai said.

“Everything we do is about culture and to improve that. We’ve been trying hard with things like our wrestling and rucking.”

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire took a break from worries surrouding a fresh NRL Integrity Unit investigation to hand out jerseys to Juniors on Thursday afternoon. He is pictured signing autographs at a game against the Northern Pride on Saturday. Picture: Mark Evans.

Maguire said as far as he was concerned the Rabbitohs junior representative and first grade teams were one and the same.

“I see us as one now, there’s not a juniors and a seniors, it’s pathways and we want to make that stronger,” Maguire said.

“For us as a club, it gives greater opportunities to a lot of people. And I think that’s what rugby gives a lot of people.

Maguire is encouraging parents to sign up their kids to South Sydney junior sides.

“Not everyone gets to go through and make a career of it, but the guys who are a part of Souths Juniors have opportunities in who they meet.”

He encouraged southeast families to get their kids into a rugby league team.

“We have so many connections to the workforce and some great people out there that do support us and it gives kids opportunities to find pathways of work, let alone just rugby league.

SIGNUPS

■ Souths Juniors have ramped up preparation for a coming SG Ball season

■ Parents can sign up their children for the club on 9314 4271