South Sydney Rabbitohs to recruit high profile fans in Allianz Stadium fight
A Prime Minister, two billionaire businessmen, media personalities and an Oscar winning actor. The Rabbitohs will unshackle some of the club’s big guns in their fight to return to Allianz Stadium.
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This will be South Sydney’s high-powered rabbit punch.
Rabbitohs’ management is poised to elevate Australia’s Prime Minister, two global businessmen worth a combined total of $24 billion, a Hollywood Academy Award winner and two Sydney media identities into their boots-and-all war against the Sydney Roosters over who plays at Allianz Stadium.
This battle for arena supremacy is about to get a whole lot spicier. In fact, it’s about to go nuclear.
This is more than a brawl over a rectangular footy ground. It’s about Souths and the Roosters - moral enemies since 1908. The more the Roosters push Government authorities to deny Souths, the more the Rabbitohs bristle.
It’s a classic Sydney feud played by some of the country’s biggest hitters. There’s money, power and pride. This is as much about ego as it is a strip of soggy grass.
The Roosters are ahead in the war but Souths, showing their traditional working class roots, won’t surrender.
Souths were told last week by the State Government that the club would not be permitted to ditch Accor Stadium as their home ground – they are contracted there until 2031 – for a return to Allianz Stadium.
The Roosters - who vehemently oppose Souths’ proposed move to Moore Park - have an immensely powerful board, led by chairman Nick Politis.
Worth $2.6 billion, Politis is among the most formidable officials in rugby league and has the ear of those that matter in Macquarie Street.
Down but not out, Souths know they will have to unshackle some of the club’s big guns in an attempt to nullify the Roosters and overturn the Government’s decision. And these guns are bazookas.
Try PM Anthony Albanese, club owners Russell Crowe, James Packer and Mike Cannon-Brookes along with media identities and Souths tragics Andrew Denton and Ray Martin.
The club is ready to draft this ultra-prominent bunch into this eastern suburbs conflict.
Don’t be surprised if Albanese – a lifelong Rabbitohs fan and former club board member – lays some political heat on the right people.
Albanese has already stated that Allianz Stadium is “where Souths should play our local games and I hope that occurs for the fans.”
Crowe has enormous worldwide fame and appeal while Packer and Cannon-Brookes among the world’s richest men, estimated to be worth a combined total of $24 billion.
They are influential, powerful and persuasive.
The Rabbitohs also want to lock in a 25-year deal at Allianz Stadium if their shift is ultimately approved.
NSW sports minister Steve Kamper told Souths that a move east was not financially viable, citing a cost to the Government of $4.5m to $14m through lost sponsorship and commercial arrangements.
Souths wants to know how Kamper arrived at this figure and are seeking a detailed breakdown of the numbers.
Let’s give both clubs a fair crack.
The Roosters have every right to deny Souths. They were the club who lived out of demountables for the Two-and-a-half-years it took to build the new stadium and were forced to take home games elsewhere, all while Souths stayed cosy at Redfern and Accor.
But, to be fair, Souths claim it’s a taxpayer-funded stadium - not owned by the Roosters - and the Rabbitohs, who used to play out of the old Sydney Football Stadium, should be permitted a return to the city’s east in a public facility.
Remember how Souths’ fans protested the last time they were backed into a corner? By taking it to the streets. Who knows, it just may happen again.
Angry Souths fans marched down George Street in 1999 in a united display against the club’s exclusion from the NRL. Could they repeat their heroics in a march from Redfern Oval to Allianz Stadium? There is a whisper around town.
Just recently, Roosters CEO Joe Kelly said: “We have been here (at Allianz Stadium) for 118 years and have never left the precinct. It’s our spiritual home. I don’t think it’s anyone else’s.
“As far as I understand, the Rabbitohs have a contract out at Accor (Stadium) until 2031 and quite frankly I can’t see having more content here (at Allianz) from a football perspective.”
When told that the Government had blocked his club’s move east, Solly said: “This is by no means the end of the process.”
These two clubs have traded hefty blows and barbs for 117-years and it doesn’t look like abating.
South Sydney’s heavy hitters are poised. Albo, Rusty, James and their cardinal red and myrtle green cohorts are on poll and waiting to be unleashed.
This will take the rivalry and hatred to a whole new level. Bring it on.
BLUES CALL ON NSW FANS TO GO FERAL
NSW wants Accor Stadium to be feral on July 9.
The Blues privately feel that Queenslanders successfully make our players and fans feel uncomfortable and rattled when Origin games are played at Suncorp Stadium.
Are we too nice to Queensland when they play in Sydney?
It’s time for NSW to really make Accor Stadium unbearable for the Cane Toads.
As much as I hate to admit it, Brisbane does Origin better than Sydney.
You can feel the loathing when you arrive in Brisbane. It’s palpable and it’s real.
The cabbies hate us, so do the publicans, council workers, shop keepers, even the hotel maids.
You should see the sneer you cop when admitting you’re a New South Welshmen. Sometimes I think Sydney is a touch too cosmopolitan to be as obnoxious in return.
NSW fans, let’s really give it to the two-heads in this looming Origin decider.
This is our city, our team, our time and our home ground.
The players need you now more than ever.
DOG TREATS
In a controversial move, Nyngan Tigers have signed ex-jailed NRL player Jamil Hopoate for the rest of this season.
Hopoate, who was released from prison last October, was named to play his first game for Nyngan against Dubbo last weekend.
The former Broncos player was jailed for three years and nine months in 2022 for his role in the importation of cocaine into Australia.
Some bush fans in Nyngan are unhappy at Hopoate’s signing.
The son of former Test winger John, Jamil told Nyngan Tigers officials he wanted to shift away from Sydney for a new start in the country.
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Rumour of the week: Rising Wests Tigers star Tallyn Da Silva to follow his great mate Lachlan Galvin to the Bulldogs as a starting hooker from next season with Bailey Hayward the regular 14. Stand by for the denials.
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The NRL is facing a difficult assignment in their planned acknowledgment of Alex Johnston’s looming try scoring record.
Johnston is now just six tries from equalling the 50-year record of legendary winger Ken Irvine. A four-try performance for Souths against Melbourne on the weekend pushed Johnston to 206 tries.
Obviously unaware when the record will be broken, the NRL cannot logistically be present at every game in readiness for the celebrations.
While most expect Johnston to create history this season, it could meander into 2026. The NRL may have to recognise Johnston’s feat the week after he passes Irvine.
NRL management is aware the crowd at the record-making game may pour onto the field to celebrate the moment.
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Josh Papalii’s management continue to hold talks with Super League clubs.
Big Papa, 33, wants to play on in 2026 but knows it won’t be at Canberra. He could look for another NRL club but doesn’t really want to play against his beloved Raiders.
Papalii, who this month became Canberra’s most-capped player, is hoping to secure a two to three year deal in England to finish his stellar career.
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One coach being quietly discussed at several clubs is former Manly premiership-winning hooker Matt Ballin. A Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons assistant and former head coach of Blacktown Workers, Ballin has a burgeoning reputation.
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Which former Queensland star was filthy when he wandered into a Coolum pub to watch the Dolphins play last weekend only for the hotel to be showing the Super Rugby final on a big screen from New Zealand?
“And there were bugger all watching,” he said. “Please explain.”
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