They’ve tried their hand at gridiron, taken part in umpteen scenic tours and had a ball meeting the Florida locals.

Welcome to South Sydney’s ‘spread the word’ trip to the US which has been more Grizwold vacation than pre-season torture test.

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But it’s down to business for the Rabbitohs this weekend when they have their first hit-out for 2008 against Super League champions Leeds in Jacksonville, Florida in an Australia Day clash on Saturday afternoon (5am Sunday morning AEDT).

While the game comes three weeks before most other NRL sides hold their first trial match, some players, such as young gun Eddie Paea, say they are itching to get back on the field.

“I can’t wait for the game on Saturday. The last time I played was mid-October for the Junior Kiwis team,” Paea said.

“Our training has been tough, but fun, but I’m ready to play now.

“We’ve been putting everything together and doing a lot of game-simulation training, and everything is looking pretty slick.

“I’ll be marking Rob Burrow, who’s the current Great Britain halfback, so that will be a great test for me.”

While the game is little more than an exhibition clash, a good performance from Paea would go a long way toward securing him a berth in the side for the NRL season opener against arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters on March 14.

Paea is battling it out with Ben Rogers, Craig Wing, Jeremy Smith and Beau Champion for a start in the halves, new recruit Wing the only one seemingly guaranteed a run.

The Bunnies visited the home of NFL side the Jacksonville Jaguars today, taking part in a behind the scenes tour of the club’s gymnasium and other training facilities while also meeting some of the Jaguars stars.

“We took a tour of the players meeting and video room, the locker rooms, the equipment room and then the practice field and Jacksonville Municipal Stadium,” Paea told local newspaper The Florida Times Union.

“It is easily the best activity we’ve had since we got here.

“The Jaguars are such a massive organisation.

“We’re having our new training facility built in Redfern at the moment, and if it’s half as good as the Jags place then we’ll all be very happy.”

Souths coach Jason Taylor is yet to confirm his starting line-up for the game.

© AAP 2012

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