The South Sydney Rabbitohs have signed four of the brightest up-and-coming players in the game, signing centre Robert Jennings, second rower or centre Tyrell Fuimaono, centre Braidon Burns and halfback Connor Tracey for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
The Rabbitohs have added size, pace, youth and pedigree with the signings of these four players, who will all join the Club for pre-season training later this year.
Jennings, 20, has played five NRL games for the Penrith Panthers since making his debut as a 19-year-old last season, and has been part of the Junior Kangaroos squad for the past two years.
Fuimaono, 20, represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2015 and 2016, played in the NSW under 20s side in 2015 and 2016, graduated to the Parramatta Eels’ full time squad in 2016 and is currently number one in running metres in the Holden Cup competition.
Burns, 20, has been one of the shining lights in the Penrith Panthers’ under 20s outfit this year, scoring five tries in a match against the Warriors earlier this season as part of his 16 tries so far this season.
Tracey, 20, is an Australian Schoolboys representative halfback who has been part of the successful junior representative system at the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire is keen to have these four young players join the Club next season.
“Our recruitment team has had their eyes on these four players and to be able to bring young players of this quality to our Club is fantastic for the future of the Club,” Coach Maguire said.
“They have all excelled in their respective age group competitions and we’ve seen Robert progress to the NRL ranks already.
“We see a lot of upside in these guys, we believe they will push for first grade selection next year, providing more competition for spots in our top 17.
“When I was speaking to these players I could see that they were hungry to buy into the Rabbitohs culture, they want to work hard to create their opportunities, and they want the chance to train and play with the leaders amongst our group.
“Our coaching staff are looking forward to having them join our squad next pre-season to help with their continued development.”
Biographies
Robert Jennings
Date of Birth
2 January 1996
Place of Birth
Blacktown, NSW
Height
192cm
Weight
106kg
Position
Centre/Wing
Junior Club
Minchinbury Jets
Previous Clubs
Panthers (2015-16)
Rep Honours
Junior Kangaroos (2015-16); Australian Schoolboys (2014); NSW under 16s (2012); Australian Schoolboys under 15s merit team (2011)
First Grade Games
Five (all for the Panthers)
First Grade Points
Four (from one try)
NRL Debut
Panthers vs Titans, Cbus Super Stadium, 26 April 2015 (Rd 7)
Tyrell Fuimaono
Date of Birth
6 March 1996
Place of Birth
Penrith, NSW
Height
188cm
Weight
98kg
Position
Centre/Second row
Junior Club
St Mary’s
Rep Honours
Junior Kangaroos (2015-16); NSW under 20s (2015-16); Australian Schoolboys (2014)
Braidon Burns
Date of Birth
8 July 1996
Height
185cm
Weight
98kg
Position
Centre
Junior Club
Coonamble Bears
Connor Tracey
Date of Birth
17 June 1996
Place of Birth
Sydney, NSW
Height
183cm
Weight
87kg
Position
Halfback
Junior Club
De La Salle Caringbah
Rep Honours
Australian Schoolboys (2014)
