Where are they now? South Sydney Rabbitohs 2019 Jersey Flegg premiers five years on
Five years ago it was the South Sydney Rabbitohs who sat at the top of the Jersey Flegg tree, ending a 41-year drought. We take a look at who has kicked on in their league careers five years on.
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Five years ago it was the Rabbitohs who sat at the top of the tree in the Jersey Flegg U20s competition.
South Sydney walked the tightrope throughout the finals, winning four-straight games to go from fifth to premiers, claiming their first title for 41 years.
We look back at their team from grand final day and their wider squad to see who has made the grade and where they are now.
1. JAMES TAUTAIOLEFUA
Came across to the Rabbitohs as a Western Suburbs pathways player before rising to NSW Cup level the following season.
The fullback played out last season with the Picton Magpies in the Macarthur competition.
2. KANE ALLAN
After his premiership season Allan went on to play reserve grade with the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles.
The rangy winger then made his way south to the Canberra competition where he is still playing with Gungahlin.
3. MARC ZAURRINI
The Italian international was another from the Wests pathways to make their way to South Sydney.
Played a game of NSW Cup for the Rabbitohs in 2022 and hasn’t been spotted in league since.
4. JAXSON PAULO
One of the few players from the squad to go on to play first grade, Paulo played 43 games of NRL with Souths starting the following year.
He has since had short stints with the Roosters and Manly, and has been picked up by North Queensland for the upcoming season.
5. NICK MOUGIOS
Was among a small group to taste NSW Cup (with North Sydney) before the 2019 season.
Played for Greece in the 2022 World Cup after playing 10 games with Souths in NSW Cup between 2021 and 2022. This year he played one game with Wests at reserve grade level.
6. LACHLAN ILIAS
The player with the most NRL experience from the 2019 premiership team with 53 games to his name for the Rabbitohs.
Was controversially dropped early this season before suffering a season-ending leg fracture. It remains to be seen what role he will play with Wayne Bennett back at the helm.
7. BLAKE TAAFFE
His 36 games of NRL with the Rabbitohs and Bulldogs highlight Taaffe as one of the success stories of the team.
Was the captain of the side and went on to win a NSW Cup title and State Championship in 2023, as well as play in South Sydney’s 2021 grand final loss.
8. LUKE BAIN
The American-born forward has enjoyed a strong period in league in recent times with stints in reserve grade for Parramatta and the Brisbane Tigers.
That led to an appearance for Scotland at the 2021 World Cup and he played out the season with Wakefield Trinity.
9. JOSHUA COOK
Held out Peter Mamouzelos for the starting hooker role with his Norths and Souths NSW Cup experience playing a role.
The Irish representative has been a staple in reserve grade, including stints with Canterbury, St George Illawarra and most recently Newtown.
10. IIZAYA RANGA-ITI
Came down from Queensland to join the Rabbitohs and had a two-year stint in Jersey Flegg in the red and green.
Returned home to the Souths Logan Magpies in 2022 for a crack at Queensland Cup.
11. TALLIS ANGIANGA
Was a handy pick-up by Souths as a NSW U18s representative from the Central Coast and took out the Players’ Player honour for Flegg in 2021.
Played with Lakes United in the strong Newcastle comp in 2022 before joining South Eastern the following year.
12. MATTHEW FRENCH
Graduated from Flegg to NSW Cup in 2021 with the Rabbitohs before departing for Mounties and Norths, eventually making his way back to Souths last year.
Made his long-awaited NRL debut for Souths this year against St George Illawarra.
13. JOSHUA FEPULEAI
Made the move from Manly’s SG Ball side in 2018 where he played alongside the likes of Albert Hopoate and Josh Schuster.
After a second season in Flegg, Fepuleai went on to join All Saints Toongabbie in 2022 for the A-grade season.
14. PETER MAMOUZELOS
Has been forced to bide him time behind Damien Cook, but the 45-game NSW Cup veteran was given his chance to shine this year in first grade.
The Greek international played his most NRL games this year with 19 appearances and looks poised to get first crack at the hooking role with Cook leaving for the Dragons.
15. BRADLEY ZAMPECH
Zampech was another to travel down from Queensland to play for Souths, before linking with Souths Logan at U21s level in 2022.
Returned home to Ipswich last season where he has played the last two seasons in Queensland Cup with the Jets, where he is signed on for next year.
16. LUKE PURU
The Penrith junior was snapped up by South Sydney where he played three years of Flegg until 2021.
Played out this season with the Wentworthville Magpies in the Sydney Shield competition where he has been for the past three years.
17. TEVITA TAUMOEPENU
Made the lead to reserve grade with Souths in 2021 and played nine games this season with the club after returning.
Was named in the Eels top 30 but never got a crack at first grade despite 32 games of NSW Cup between 2022 and 2023.
Originally published as Where are they now? South Sydney Rabbitohs 2019 Jersey Flegg premiers five years on
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