The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their team to take on the Gold Coast Titans in round 23 of the 2009 NRL Premiership this Friday 14 August at ANZ Stadium. Rabbitohs Head Coach Jason Taylor has named Luke Stuart as Rabbitohs captain for this important clash with the Titans in his 165th game for the Rabbitohs. David Fa’alogo has been named in the front row and Michael Crocker has been promoted to the starting side at lock, with Dave Tyrrell moving on to the interchange bench. Shannan McPherson will play his 50th NRL game this Friday night, all of which have been played in the red and green since making his first grade debut in 2005. The Rabbitohs vs Titans match is one of the first games to be played in the NRL’s Close the Gap Round, highlighting the 13-year difference in life expectancy between indigenous men and non-indigenous men in Australia. Rabbitohs halfback Chris Sandow is an ambassador for the Close the Gap campaign alongside Australian halfback Johnathan Thurston and Titans player Shannon Walker. The NRL match is scheduled for a 7:35pm kick off with the Toyota Cup match due to begin at 5:20pm. Gates open at 5:15pm. The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. Nathan Merritt
2. Jamie Simpson
3. Colin Best
4. Beau Champion
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. John Sutton
7. Chris Sandow
8. Luke Stuart (c)
9. Issac Luke
10. David Fa'alogo
11. Ben Lowe
12. Eddy Pettybourne
13. Michael Crocker

14. Craig Wing
15. Shannon McPherson
16. Dave Tyrrell
17. Scott Geddes

Coach – Jason Taylor

The Rabbitohs Toyota Cup side is:

1. Luke Capewell
2. Malcolm Webster
3. Junior Vaivai
4. Dylan Farrell
5. Kane Morgan
6. Matt Mundine
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Jake Shearer
9. Nathan Peats
10. Brad Lupi
11. Aaron Hammett
12. Brock Molan
13. Jason Clark (c)

14. Joshua Mansour
15. Blake Judd
16. Josh Starling
17. Jack Tulemau
21. Brad Takairangi

Coach – Daniel Irvine

The North Sydney Bears will take on the Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup this Saturday 16 August at 3pm at Campbelltown Stadium The Bears team is:

1. Samu Wara
2. Chris McQueen
3. Greg Nichols
4. Bladen Baird
5. Reece Robinson
6. Justin Hunt
7. Jarryd Hogan
8. Chris Trembath
9. Beau Falloon
10.Garret Crossman
11.David Kidwell
12.Jaiman Lowe
13.Deon Apps

14.Daniel Sayegh
15.John Kaifoto
16.Matt Hunt
17.Sean Dalton
18.Brett Blaker
19.Vinnie Ngaro

Coach – Wayne Lambkin