2016 South Sydney Rabbitohs season explained

The 2016 South Sydney Rabbitohs season is the 107th in the club's history. Coached by Michael Maguire and captained by Greg Inglis, they are competing in the National Rugby League's 2016 Telstra Premiership.

Pre-season

The South Sydney Rabbitohs pre-season will consist of:

• Auckland Nines tournament playing the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta Eels and Melbourne Storm in the round robin on 6 and 7 February.
• The 33rd Charity Shield against the St. George Illawarra Dragons on 13 February.
• A pre-season trial against the Gold Coast Titans at Pizzey Park on 20 February.

Also during the pre-season on 13 February (the same date of the Charity Shield) the All Stars match will be played originally consisting of the following Rabbitohs; Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston, Chris Grevsmuhl (Indigenous All Stars) and Sam Burgess, Tom Burgess (World All Stars). However, as of 9 February, Johnston and Grevsmuhl withdrew with injuries and Sam Burgess chose not to participate. Adam Reynolds has since been added to the World All Stars team.

Auckland Nines

South Sydney started the year with the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines. They were captained by 2014 Premiership winning captain John Sutton. This years nines tournament saw Damien Cook, Michael Oldfield, Hymel Hunt and Cody Walker make their rabbitohs debuts along with a number of under South Sydney NYC players playing. South Sydney started with a win over the Sydney Roosters, Souths won the match 14–13 to extend their Nines winning streak to 7 strait matches. Alex Johnston, Kirisome Auvaa and Michael Oldfield scored tries with new recruit Damien Cook kicking the winning goal. South Sydney then faced the Melbourne Storm where they lost 18–12. John Olive, Hymel Hunt and Damien Cook scored tries in the match. On day 2 of the nines, Souths needed to either beat or draw with eventual champions the Parramatta Eels. Souths lost the game 24–11 with Bryson Goodwin and Cameron McInnes scoring tries along with a goal from Damien Cook.

Squad list

2016 gains

Player	2015 Club	Until End of	Notes
		2018	[1]
		2017	[2]
		2016	[3]
		2017	[4]
		2016	[5]

2016 losses

Player	2016 Club	Notes
	Retirement	[6]
		[7]
Darren Nicholls		[8]
		[9]
		[10]
		[11]
		[12]

Re-signings

Player	Club	Until End of	Notes
		2017	[13]
		2019	[14]
		2018	[15]
		2020	[16]

2017 gains

Player	2015 Club	Until End of	Notes
		2017	[17] (Mid season)
		2018	[18]
		2018
		2018
		2018
		2017	[19]
		2018	[20]

2017 losses

2016 NRL Season

Highest Winning Margin – 42 points (Round 2 Vs Newcastle Knights)

Closest Winning Margin – 2 points (Round 10 Vs Parramatta Eels)

Highest Losing Margin – 50 points (Round 21 Vs Canberra Raiders)

Closest Losing Margin – 1 point (Round 13 Vs Gold Coast Titans), (Round 22 Vs Melbourne Storm)

Most Points Scored by Souths in a Match – 48 (Round 2 Vs Newcastle Knights)

Least Points Scored by Souths in a Match – 0 (Round 17 Vs North Queensland Cowboys)

Most Points Scored against Souths in a Match – 54 (Round 21 Vs Canberra Raiders)

Least Points Scored against Souths in a Match – 6 (Round 2 Vs Newcastle Knights), (Round 25 Vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)

Longest Winning Streak – 4 Matches, Round 23 – Round 26

Longest Losing Streak – 9 Matches, Round 13 – Round 22

Significant rounds

• Round 1 (Vs Sydney Roosters), Damien Cook and Hymel Hunt Rabbitohs debut games.
• Round 1 (Vs Sydney Roosters), Zane Musgrove, Cody Walker NRL first grade debut games.
• Round 4 (Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Michael Oldfield Rabbitohs debut.
• Round 5 (Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Luke Keary 50th NRL first grade game (all for SSR).
• Round 5 (Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Sam Burgess 100th NRL first grade game (all for SSR).
• Round 5 (Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), South Sydney Rabbitohs 35, 000th point scored (try scored by souths junior and hooker Cameron McInnes).
• Round 8 (Vs Brisbane Broncos), Dane Nielsen Rabbitohs debut game.
• Round 9 (Vs Wests Tigers), Patrice Siolo Rabbitohs debut game.
• Round 10 (Vs Parramatta Eels), Jack Gosiewski NRL first grade debut game.
• Round 11 (Vs St George Illawarra), Bryson Goodwin 150th NRL first grade game.
• Round 11 (Vs St George Illawarra), Bryson Goodwin 500th NRL first grade point.
• Round 11 (Vs St George Illawarra), Adam Reynolds 800th NRL first grade point.

Player appearances

FB=Fullback	C=Centre	W=Winger	FE=Five-Eight	HB=Halfback	PR=Prop	H=Hooker	SR=Second Row	L=Lock	B=Bench

No	Player	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26
1		FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FB	FE	FE	Bye	FE	FE		C	C	Bye				FB	FB	FB	FB	FB
2		W	W	W							FB	FB		W	W	W	FB	W		W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W
3		C	C	C	C		W	W	W	C	C	C		C	SR						C
4		C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C														C	C	C	C	C
5		W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	W					C	W	W	C		C	C	C	C	C	C	C	C
6		FE	FE	FE	FE	FE	FE					W		FB	FB	FE	FE	FB		FB	FB	FB	FE	FE	FE	FE	FE
7		HB						HB	HB	HB	HB	HB		HB	HB			HB			HB	HB	HB	HB	HB	HB	HB
8		PR	L	L		PR	PR	L	L	L	L	L		L	L	L	L	L		L	L	L	L	L	L	L	L
9		H	H	H	H	H	H	H	B	B	H	H		H	H	H	H	H		H	H	H
10		PR	PR	PR	PR	B		PR	PR	PR				B	PR	PR	B	B		PR	PR
11		SR	SR	SR	SR		B	B	SR		SR	SR		SR	SR	B				Sacked
12		SR														SR	SR	SR		FE	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR
13		L	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR		SR	SR	SR		SR	B	SR	SR	SR		SR	SR	C	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR
14		B	B	B	B	B	B		H	H						B		B		B		B	H	H	H	H	H
15		B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B		B	B		B	B	B	B	B		B	B	B	B	B	B	B	B
16		B			B	SR	SR	SR	SR	SR		Released: Penrith Panthers
17		B																		PR	PR	PR		B	B
18			HB	HB	HB	HB	HB	FE	FE	FE	B	B	B		HB	HB	FE	HB	FE	FE
19			PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	B			B	B						B	B	PR	PR	B	FR	FR	FR
20			B	B	L	L	L	B	B	B	FR	FR	FR	B	B	FR	FR	SR	B	B			B	B	B
21			B	B	B	C	C	C	B	C	C	C	C	C	C			Sacked
22					W	W					W									W
23						FR	B	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR	PR		B	PR	PR	PR	PR
24									C	W	W	W	W	C	W
25										B						B	x
26											B	B	B							B		B	B
26														B	B	C
27																	C		C
28																	W	W	W	W	x	W	W	W	W	W
29																B	B
30																		B	B	SR	B	B	B	B	B

= Injured

= Suspended

/ = Unable to play due to State of Origin camp.

Representative honours

Domestic

	Player	Team	Call-up
FB	Greg Inglis	Indigenous All Stars	2016 All Stars match
HB	Adam Reynolds	World All Stars	2016 All Stars match
PR	Thomas Burgess	World All Stars	2016 All Stars match
CE	Aaron Gray	NSW City	2016 City vs Country Origin
BE	Nathan Brown	NSW Country	2016 City vs Country Origin
CE	Greg Inglis	Queensland	2016 State of Origin
HB	Adam Reynolds	NSW	2016 State of Origin

International

	Player	Team	Call-up
CE	Greg Inglis	Australia	2016 Anzac Test
CE	Kirisome Auva'a	Samoa	2016 Melanesian Cup
WG	Michael Oldfield	Tonga	2016 Melanesian Cup
CE	Greg Inglis	Australia	2016 Four Nations
LK	Sam Burgess (C)	England	2016 Four Nations
PR		England	2016 Four Nations
PR		England	2016 Four Nations

Controversies

Luke Keary Vs Russell Crowe in Coffs Harbour

In January, Keary was involved in an ugly bust-up with actor and Rabbitohs club co-owner Russell Crowe in a boozy pre-season bonding session at Crowe's farm in Nana Glen, New South Wales. It was revealed that Keary was furious at Crowe after he berated him, Cameron McInnes and some of the younger players. Keary defended them then Crowe told him that he not worth the money of his contract, sending Keary into a rage towards Crowe then at senior Rabbitohs leader Sam Burgess for reportedly not sticking up for the younger players. After that he was ordered by Crowe to leave his property, so left catching a taxi at about 3:00am.^{[21] [22]} Keary later signed a contract to join rivals the Sydney Roosters from the start of 2017.

Chris Grevsmuhl walking out on the Club

In January, it was revealed that Grevsmuhl had signed a 2-year contract with the Penrith Panthers starting in 2017.On 20 May, Grevsmuhl joined the Panthers mid-season after being released from the remainder of his Rabbitohs contract.^[23] He said that he was unwilling to play under Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire any further. Grevsmuhl said, "He’s a mind-game specialist. He breaks you down mentally. He questioned why I was there, the effort I was putting in, and questioned why I was talking to other clubs.^[24]

Kirisome Auva'a Sacking

On 13 July 2016, Auva’a was sacked by the Rabbitohs for a second breach of the NRL’s Testing Policy for illicit substances. While Auva’a, did not return a positive test for an illicit or hazardous substance in this instance, he contravened the rules as set out in the NRL Policy. Under the terms of the policy, the Rabbitohs had the right to terminate the troubled star’s contract for a second breach. In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, South Sydney said they would “continue to offer welfare assistance and support to Kirisome”.^{[25] [26]}

Paul Carter Sacking

In July 2016 (while contracted with the Rabbitohs) Carter was sacked because he failed to attend a training session following a weekend bender.^[27] This was not Carter's first breach of conduct with the club.

Following Carter's sacking by the Rabbitohs, he checked into an alcohol rehabilitation centre in Thailand.^[28]

Cody Walker contract saga

Notes and References

1. Web site: Burgess Back At Souths: It's official. South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed dual international, Sam Burgess. . 6 November 2015 . 6 November 2015.
2. Web site: Rabbitohs Sign Damien Cook . ZeroTackle . 15 October 2015.
3. Web site: Burgess Registered, Crichton Extended, Hunt Signed . 19 December 2015 . Rabbitohs . 19 December 2015.
4. Web site: Rabbitohs Sign Dane Neilson . 25 January 2016 . ZeroTackle . 25 January 2016.
5. Web site: Re-sign Goodwin & Confirm Signing Michael Oldfield . 6 October 2015 . Rabbitohs . 17 October 2015.
6. Web site: Ben Lowe Announces His Retirement from Rugby League . 5 August 2015 . Rabbitohs . 17 October 2015.
7. Web site: South Sydney releases Queensland back rower Chris McQueen, who signs with the Gold Coast Titans . ABC News . 11 December 2015 . 11 December 2015.
8. Web site: Nicholls Returns to the Broncos Squad . zerotackle . 11 December 2015.
9. Web site: John Olive leaves South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos snare Tevita Pangai. The Sydney Morning Herald. Michael Carayannis. 27 February 2016.
10. Web site: Glenn Stewart signs on at Catalans. 10 September 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151003060654/http://www.nrl.com/glenn-stewart-signs-on-at-catalans/tabid/10874/newsid/89681/default.aspx . 3 October 2015 . 10 September 2015. Ian McCullough. NRL.com .
11. Web site: Wests Tigers Sign Tim Grant . 8 January 2016 . Wests Tigers . 8 January 2016.
12. Web site: Manly Sea Eagles sign Dylan Walker from South Sydney Rabbitohs . The Sydney Morning Herald . 17 December 2015 . 17 December 2015.
13. Web site: NRL 2016: Contract news, Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Cooper Cronk, Eloni Vunakece. 29 March 2016. 29 January 2018.
14. Web site: South Sydney Rabbitohs pay big price for bungling Cody Walker contract talks. Adrian. Proszenko. 16 July 2016. 29 January 2018. The Sydney Morning Herald.
15. Web site: Rabbitohs extend contract of Jason Clark until the end of the 2018 season. 18 August 2016. 29 January 2018.
16. Web site: Rabbitohs Extend Contract Of Greg Inglis Until At Least The End Of The 2020 Season. 7 October 2016. 29 January 2018.
17. Web site: News – Rabbitohs. South Sydney Rabbitohs. 29 January 2018.
18. Web site: Rabbitohs Sign Four Up-And-Coming Players. 25 August 2016. 29 January 2018.
19. Web site: Rabbitohs Sign Robbie Rochow For The 2017 Season. 26 August 2016. 29 January 2018.
20. Web site: Robbie Farah signs with South Sydney – Zero Tackle. 15 September 2016. 29 January 2018.
21. Web site: Subscribe to the Daily Telegraph. The Daily Telegraph. Australia. 29 January 2018.
22. Web site: South Sydney owner Russell Crowe apologises for Luke Keary tirade. Australian Associated Press. 20 January 2016. The Guardian. 29 January 2018.
23. Web site: Panthers secure Chris Grevsmuhl. Zero Tackle. 20 May 2016.
24. News: Former Rabbitohs forward Chris Grevsmuhl slams South Sydney coach Michael Maguire. Courier Mail. 4 June 2016. Christian Nicolussi.
25. ww.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/rabbitohs/kirisome-auvaa-sacked-by-south-sydney-rabbitohs/news-story/28c6a73d4cd24abc1740bbe33536d257
26. Web site: Souths star's 'second strike' – Nine Wide World of Sports. wwos.nine.com.au. 29 January 2018.
27. Web site: South Sydney Rabbitohs sack troubled forward Paul Carter. The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 July 2016. 6 October 2016.
28. Web site: Paul Carter sacked by South Sydney Rabbitohs. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 July 2016. 6 October 2016.