NEWS

Bringing the NRL's Best to the West

20 Apr 2010

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have joined forces with the Western Australian Rugby League and ME Bank Stadium today to launch South Sydney’s NRL match against reigning NRL Premiers, the Melbourne Storm, to be played in June 2010.

South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson and Rabbitohs, Queensland and Australian representative player Michael Crocker were joined by WARL CEO John Sackson, WARL Chairman Terry Creasey and ME Bank Stadium CEO Peter Bauchop in launching the match between two of the in-form National Rugby League teams of 2010.

South Sydney will take on Melbourne on Saturday 26 June at 7:30pm WST, enabling Western Australian sports fans to come and watch elite Rugby League live, as well as have the game broadcast live back into the eastern states at 9:30pm on Fox Sports.

The AFL match schedule has no games on in Perth that weekend, and the West Australian sporting public will have the opportunity to see top-flight Rugby League with NRL premiership points up for grabs.

South Sydney will be out for revenge in this year’s clash after being defeated by the Storm 28 points to 22 in front of a vocal crowd of 15,197 Members and fans. The event is aiming for a sell-out in 2010.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs, who are majority owned by Academy Award winning actor Russell Crowe and businessman Peter Holmes à Court, take on the Storm at the premier West Australian rectangular Stadium, ME Bank Stadium. ME Bank Stadium is the perfect venue for the Rabbitohs vs Storm match.

This year’s match will be presented by Suzuki, the second year in a row that the international motor vehicle brand has sponsored this game between South Sydney and Melbourne. Both Suzuki and the South Sydney Rabbitohs were established over 100 years ago, with both organisations achieving wonderful success throughout their histories.

This year’s South Sydney squad includes New Zealand internationals Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke and Eddy Pettybourne as well as Great Britain international and NRL All Star Sam Burgess, Australian representative Michael Crocker, Queensland State of Origin representatives Ben Ross and Rhys Wesser, and Indigenous All Stars Nathan Merritt and Beau Champion.

Melbourne will field Australian internationals Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Ryan Hoffman, Cooper Cronk and Brett White, as well as New Zealand representatives Adam Blair, Sika Manu, Chase Stanley and Jeff Lima.

Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson said the 2010 edition of this game will be some of the best Rugby League seen this year in the NRL competition.

“Melbourne have been the benchmark team over the past five years, and many of those years Michael (Crocker) was part of that success with the Storm,” Mr Richardson said.

“Our Club at South Sydney is one of the highest profile Clubs in the competition, having won the most premierships in the history of the sport, as well as our high profile owners and supporters. But we also now being recognised for our work both on and off the field.

“We’ve assembled a strong team of footballers that represent us each week. We have players that have represented Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain and Queensland in our squad. We are also one of the strongest Clubs off the field, posting an operating profit last financial year, one of only a few Clubs in the NRL that does so.

“We have over 18,000 Members and we hope all of our Members on the west coast can join us at this game and show their family and friends a great night out at the footy at ME Bank Stadium.”

Rabbitohs player Michael Crocker said it will be a highlight of the season going up against his former teammates in Perth.

“I spent three great years at Melbourne and we had a lot of success, but I’m looking forward to taking on last year’s premiers with my red and green jersey on,” Crocker said.

“This was the game I looked for when the NRL draw first came out. I’m looking forward to playing in Perth again as well. It was a wonderful atmosphere last year and a great stadium to play in.”

WARL CEO John Sackson said: “On behalf of the WARL and all Rugby League fans in this state, I am delighted that the South Sydney Rabbitohs have again chosen to bring one of their biggest ‘home’ games to Perth.

“Having two of the NRL’s heavyweight teams playing for vital competition points at ME Bank Stadium will again put the spotlight on the great game of Rugby League in WA, and a sell-out crowd will further enhance our prospects for an NRL franchise to be awarded to Perth in the lead up to season 2013.”

ME Bank Stadium CEO Peter Bauchop said: “We are very proud to be hosting the iconic South Sydney Rabbitohs and reigning NRL premiers the Melbourne Storm.

“Last year’s match at the Stadium was an incredibly exciting event and this year we are sure to build on that success.

“This will give a unique opportunity for Perth’s sports lovers to witness Rugby League at the highest level, and given the form of both the teams, this very well could be a top of the table clash.

“We are expecting a capacity crowd for this fixture, and I believe this will help pave the way for NRL expansion into Perth in the not too distant future.”

Tickets for the match are available for pre-sale through Ticketmaster by calling 136 100, online at www.ticketmaster.com.au or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet.

Ticket prices are:

• Category 1 Reserved
• Adult - $45
• Concession - $35
• Junior - $30
• Family (2A & 2J) - $120

• Category 2 Reserved
• Adult - $35
• Concession - $30
• Junior - $25
• Family (2A & 2J) - $95

• Category 3 General Admission
• Adult - $30
• Concession - $28
• Junior - $23
• Family (2A & 2J) - $83

Corporate Hospitality for this match is also available if you wish to watch the game in ultimate style.

The Rabbitohs have four hospitality options including:

• The Legends Lounge
• Premium networking and entertainment facility at the game
• Includes a three course meal and drinks

• The Churchill Club
• Relaxed corporate entertainment area
• Includes cocktail food and drinks

• Private Suites
• Ideal for colleagues, clients, friends and family
• 12, 15 and 18 seat suites available

• Outdoor boxes
• Centre of the action with fantastic views
• Four to 18 seats per box