NRL 2021: Rabbitohs hit road as co-owner Russell Crowe reveals importance of bush connection

South Sydney is on the road again as it heads to Dubbo with the Panthers for its much-anticipated blockbuster but, as co-owner Russell Crowe explains, the whole exercise goes way beyond that.

South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe has revealed why his club has taken Sunday’s blockbuster against Penrith to Dubbo, declaring: “Nothing beats the buzz and excitement of bush footy.”

The Rabbitohs and Panthers will play before a sellout 12,000 crowd at Apex Oval and continue South Sydney’s robust drive to play more NRL games in regional towns and cities.

Souths have taken matches in recent years to Mudgee, Coffs Harbour along with the Sunshine Coast, Central Coast, Cairns and Perth. This is year one of a two-season deal with Dubbo.

“Keeping the connection between the NRL and the bush is very important,” Crowe said.

“At Souths we ensure every year that we sacrifice a couple of home games and get out amongst the grassroots country fans.

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The Rabbitohs make their annual foray into the bush with a blockbuster clash against the Panthers in Dubbo.

“In the recent past Cairns, Coffs Harbour and Gosford regularly and this season Mudgee and Dubbo.

“Being a foundation club, South Sydney, have pockets of fans all over the country and nothing beats the buzz and excitement that a big game in a bush town generates.”

Souths Cares — the club’s charity and community arm — has been working in NSW’s Central West all week.

Among the current and former players working in and around Dubbo this week have been Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham, Jaxson Paulo, Kyle Turner, Ethan Lowe, Tautau Moga, Yileen Gordon and Rhys Wesser.

Souths assistant coach Jason Demetriou also headed west as did chief executive Blake Solly.

“One of rugby league’s great strengths is its support in the regions. I think it gives us a unique advantage over other codes like AFL. That has to be fostered and nurtured and taking great games like this match against the Panthers is one way of doing that,” Solly said.

Russell Crowe, with fellow actor Chris Hemsworth, watches his beloved Rabbitohs.

“We actually asked for this game to be played in Dubbo and Central West. We have a great deal of respect for Penrith and know they do a lot in that same area so it made sense to take two great clubs who believe in bush footy to a place like Dubbo for a great game.

“Souths Cares have been doing community programs in Dubbo and the Central West since Monday in partnership with Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service and the University of NSW.

“We have had seven days of community programs and we will visit 5000 school kids this week, not only promoting rugby league but healthy living and healthy lifestyle.”

The game itself should be an absolute ripper. Collectively, the two sides have lost just two of 20 games this season.

And the key question is: When will unbeaten Penrith get beaten this year?

“That’s the big thing with us — we like to stay calm. When we’re on the training paddock we go pretty hard and rip in,” said Souths prop Junior Tatola.

“But off the field, everyone is calm and collected. We just can’t wait to get out there on Sunday and rip in.

“Obviously Penrith is going really well, they haven’t lost a game, so it will be a pretty big test this weekend. We’re really looking forward to the challenge.”

Souths champion Latrell Mitchell will return for the big game from suspension.

The Rabbitohs venture into the country regions every year as part of maintaining their connection with the bush.

LATRELL BACK WITH A BANG AS SOUTHS GET ALL DEFENSIVE

Only minutes into South Sydney’s opposed training session on Tuesday morning, Latrell Mitchell found himself on a left edge going flat out.

Which, as you know, is wonderful viewing.

Except if you’re, say, NSW Cup winger Steven Marsters.

Latrell Mitchell is making his return from suspension this week.

Who in this particular moment on Redfern Oval, was defending that same edge against the NRL boys.

So no guesses for what happened next, right?

THWACK. 

With the sight of Marsters going backwards, airborne, then tumbling, just one of many collisions in a session that left nobody doubting what both Mitchell — and, indeed, his Rabbitohs — intend to bring against competition leaders Penrith in Sunday’s blockbuster at Apex Oval, Dubbo.

After spending the past four weeks travelling, suspended, with Souths to away games at Gold Coast, Canberra and Brisbane, Mitchell finally returns this weekend to a side that, despite winning all but once in his absence, have still leaked like that local barfly with the small bladder.

Starting in Round 7 where they conceded 30 points against the Titans, the Bunnies then gave up plenty more against Canberra (20), Melbourne (50), and Cronulla (22).

Mitchell’s return allows Cody Walker to return to his favourite position.

Indeed, had the Storm match been a juniors game, it would have been called off with eight minutes still to play — when that sixth Josh Addo-Carr try stretched the visitors lead to 50 points.

All of which brought about that Tuesday session, called specifically by coach Wayne Bennett.

“Because we’ve leaked too many points in recent weeks,” Souths prop Jai Arrow explained afterwards.

“Defensively, we haven’t had the mindset that we had at the start of the year, or spoke about all pre-season.

“So it’s definitely been addressed.

“And something we’ve been working on.

“I don’t know if you saw out there today but we were definitely getting stuck into each other. Basically playing a game at training.”

Mitchell spent the last four weeks on the sidelines for this incident.

Rabbitohs No.9 Damien Cook agreed.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” he said afterwards, referencing the intensity of a session which came only three days after their Magic Round win over Cronulla.

“But I think that was the coach getting into us today.

“Lately, we’ve been a bit off with our defence.

“After the first round, we went about six weeks where we defended really well, where the points we leaked were 10 to 12.

“But then there was the Titans game where we leaked a lot of points, then the Melbourne game where we leaked a s***load of points.

“And again at the weekend there was another 20.

Latrell had been enjoying a great season up until that incident against the Tigers.

So we’re just trying to get our defensive mindset back. And it needs to be done against Penrith, who I think are playing second phase better than anyone else at the moment.”

Elsewhere, Arrow also welcomed everything the returning Mitchell brings to a team.

“Latrell is a class player and, as Wayne Bennett says, a winner,” the prop said.

“He trains to win, plays to win.

“Obviously Cody (Walker) can also go back to his preferred position in the six jumper and Latrell back to No.1 where he was playing great footy until he got suspended.

“But he’s had his four-week holiday and I’m sure he will be ready to go against the best side in the competition.”

Cook agreed.

“Wayne made sure to take him to Queensland with us for Magic Round ... (laughs) he didn’t want him going back to the farm,” he said.

“And now he looks fresh, too, which is good.

“He’s sick of doing the extra conditioning that happens when you’re not playing. He’s buzzing to get back and looked good today.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Rabbitohs hit road as co-owner Russell Crowe reveals importance of bush connection