Talkin Sport - Rabbitohs take internal disciplinary action against players

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will drop four players from its NRL side, as well as make a change to its captaincy, for this Sunday’s game against the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium at 3pm.

The Rabbitohs will make Ben Rogers, Jaiman Lowe, Eddie Paea and Fetuli Talanoa unavailable for selection this week, and David Kidwell will relinquish his co-captaincy, after breaches to the players’ standards following the game against the Brisbane Broncos last Friday night.

The players, in consultation with the captains, set a standard of a zero breath-alcohol limit at the team’s regeneration session on Saturday morning and these five players failed to meet that standard.

Rabbitohs Director of Football Operations Shane Richardson said: “The players set themselves a standard which the club agreed with following last Friday night’s game, and these players didn’t meet these standards.”

“We want to point out that the players didn’t cause any trouble, however as a Club we take these standards very seriously and action has been taken to reflect our stance.

“The coaching staff feel very strongly about this as it goes to the heart of what we’re trying to do here as a Club.”

South Sydney Football Club Executive Chairman Peter Holmes à Court said: “We are seeking to be disciplined and professional in everything we do. This action by the Coach and the Football Department shows that we are serious about maintaining the standards set by the Club and the players each and every week.”

Head Coach Jason Taylor has promoted Dean Widders back into the NRL line up at five-eighth with Issac Luke shifting to halfback. Rookie John Tamanika will make his NRL debut on the wing, with Beau Falloon and Eddy Pettybourne getting a call-up into the NRL side on the interchange bench.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. Nathan Merritt
2. John Tamanika
3. Nigel Vagana
4. Beau Champion
5. Germaine Paulson
6. Dean Widders
7. Issac Luke
8. Manase Manuokafoa
9. George Ndaira
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. David Kidwell
12. David Fa’alogo
13. John Sutton

Interchange:

14. Beau Falloon
15. Shannan McPherson
16. Luke Stuart
17. Eddy Pettybourne

Coach – Jason Taylor