The local rag has an updated team for souths this weekend including Radke Samo - former Wallaby/Brumby. Souths have also created links to the Qld Reds. Articles are below (from
www.theleader.com.au) - first time ever that souths have pushed both the Dragons and Sharks off the back page.
Gentle giant adds weight
BY BRAD FORREST
15 Apr, 2010 04:00 AM
FORMER Wallaby backrow giant, Radike Samo, yesterday agreed to join Southern Districts after playing in France and Japan during the past four years.
The Fijian-born Samo, who debuts for the club against Manly on Saturday, is one of the game's biggest players, standing 1.97metres and weighing 115kilograms.
He is known for his one-handed ball grip and big running game. A lock or flanker, he played 41 games for the ACT Brumbies between 2000 and 2006, winning Wallaby selection and playing six Tests in 2004 before playing with French giants Stade Francais Paris and then playing in Japan.
"He is a giant of a man and with his expereince he is going to be very good for our pack,'' said coach Darren Bray, whose side boasts new No. 4 and No. 5 players in Brumbies Runners Nifo Nifo and Sita Tuamani.
After taking apart their Gordon scrum last Saturday, Souths have to find a replacement for Waratah tight-head Dan Palmer, who was sent off for dissent and given a one-match suspension.
They also have to check the fitness of flanker Jono Hayes and fullback Marshall Milroy.
Halves Nathan Sievert and John Gamgee will be anxious to get plenty of ball to their new speedy outside backs, especially Sisa Waqa and Nicky Price.
A likely starting Souths side is 1 Tetra Faulkner, 2 Sam Zlatevski, 3 John Ulugia, 4 Nifo Nifo, 5 Sita Tuamani, 6 Matt Trouville, 7 Jono Hayes, 8 Radike Samo, 9 Nathan Sievert, 10 Josh Gamgee (c), 11 Callum Reilly, 12 Brackin Henry, 13 Ben Schreiber, 14 Sisa
Waqa, 15 Nicky Price.
New-look Rebels
BY BRAD FORREST
15 Apr, 2010 04:00 AM
SOUTHERN Districts players have a new team and a new pathway to Super 14 rugby courtesy of their long-running benefactor, Kevin Maloney, and his investment in the Queensland Reds.
On the eve of Souths' first home game of the 2010 Shute Shield season against Manly at Forshaw Park on Saturday, after beating Gordon 34-20 in round one, Maloney spoke passionately about big plans for the Southern Districts Rebels in 2010.
Maloney's The Mac Company, with connections to the large Queensland mining companies, has linked up with the Reds and their coach Ewan McKenzie, a long-time friend of Maloney.
One of their targets has been trying to lure former Dragons international Mark Gasnier, back from French rugby, with guest appearances with Southern Districts part of the deal.
The Reds will also "warehouse'' some of their other players with Southern Districts during the season.
Maloney said while his company had also financially helped the club's NSW Waratahs representatives Rob Horne, Kane Douglas and Dan Palmer, the new investment in the Reds would pave the way for Rebels players in the Super 14 and Super 15 next year.
As a result McKenzie, the former NSW Waratahs coach and a good friend of Maloney, will be conducting some training sessions at Forshaw Park during the season, and keeping tabs on some of the exciting new players at Sylvania Waters headquarters, under new Rebels
coach Darren Bray.
"These days, to be successful, you virtually have to get professional players from all around the world,'' said Maloney, who pulled out of a planned investment in the new Melbourne rugby franchise late last year.
"I had to look interstate to give our [Southern Districts] players a pathway. I've known Ewan personally for many years, and the Reds are more closely aligned to the mining industry, so it is a good fit all round.''
Maloney said he was ``pleased'' the club had given new Rebels first grade coach Darren Bray an opportunity.
"Darren has some new talent at the club, and he has the right professional attitude to make a difference this season.'' Maloney said.