Old rivals South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters to kick off 2014 NRL season on Thursday night

THE pre-season hype has gone, the trials have been played, as have the Nines and World Club Challenge. Now for the Big Show.

THE pre-season hype has gone, the trials have been played, as have the Nines and World Club Challenge. Now for the Big Show.

Rugby league is finally back and now just hours away.

Tonight, in front of 35,000 fans, rugby league will kick-off in spectacular style when 104-year rivals Souths play the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.

Four of the biggest stars this evening will be South Sydney’s Greg Inglis and John Sutton along with Roosters representative pair Boyd Cordner and Michael Jennings.

TAB Sportsbet last night posted the Roosters $1.67 favourites with Souths $2.25 outsiders.

“It’s a massive round one — there is always good rivalry between the clubs,’’ Cordner said yesterday. “With that rivalry there is always that extra feeling.

News_Rich_Media: Last year’s premiers, the Sydney Roosters, developed a highly successful play that consistently caught the opposition defence off-guard. Will their opponents have any luck shutting the move down this year?

“There is always a good crowd to watch these games and hopefully there will be another on Thursday night.

“We had a good win in the World Club Challenge and our full focus has shifted to round one. Round one is a game we always look forward to.

“They (Souths) have been one of the favourites for the past few years now. Personally I think they have been the benchmark, or close to it, for the last few years.

“They will be thereabouts again, for sure.’’

The match-up of Rugby union-bound forwards Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess should highlight a cracking game.

“They are the reigning premiers and they also played well in the World Club Challenge,’’ Sutton said. “We are expecting a big game from them.

“But we have had a great pre-season and can’t wait to get out there on Thursday night.’’

News_Rich_Media: Michael Crocker is positive Souths' premiership window is still open, ahead of tomorrow night's season opener against one of his former clubs, the Roosters.

The Roosters will send out another powerful side with Dylan Napa’s inclusion for retired Luke O’Donnell the only change from last year’s grand final side.

Bookmakers have the Roosters premiership favourites but back-to-back titles have not been achieved in a united competition since Brisbane in 1992-1993.

“Every team is tough and every team is out there trying to win the comp,’’ Cordner said.

“But we can only control what we do and be prepared. If we do what we do best, then hopefully we can start the season well.

“This is a new season now. Consistency is a big thing for us. We built our season last year after starting very well.’’

South Sydney Adam Reynolds is carrying a knee injury but is expected to play.