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Drought over, Souths chase back-to-back

Roar Guru
6th October, 2014
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Early next week South Sydney coach Michael Maguire will turn his attention to what has so far proved impossible, back-to-back NRL premierships.

Since the NRL was formed in 1998, no side has won successive premierships, Brisbane were the last side to do so in a unified competition in 1992 and 1993.

Those Broncos sides boasted virtual Kangaroos-strength line-ups including the likes of Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Willie Carne, Kevin Walters, Allan Langer, Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters and Trevor Gillmeister.

On paper, at least, the task ahead of the Rabbitohs in 2015 will be even tougher than that which the Sydney Roosters fell two wins short of this year.

The Roosters were missing only one player from their 2013 title winning side at the start of this season, retired forward Luke O’Donnell, while interchange hooker Daniel Mortimer was a mid-season transfer to the Gold Coast.

Souths will be missing two of their biggest stars next year in rugby-bound duo Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o. Back-up rake Apisai Koroisau, who replaced the suspended Issac Luke in Sunday’s 30-6 win over Canterbury at ANZ Stadium in the grand final is headed for Penrith.

Winger Lote Tuqiri, 35, is undecided on his future, but could decide to retire on a high.

Superstar fullback Greg Inglis’ 2007 and 2009 premierships with Melbourne were stripped due to salary cap breaches, but he is someone who understand the onerous task involved in chasing and achieving back-to-back grand final wins.

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“Going back to back is a huge challenge, as you can see over the years,” he said.

“Brisbane were the last team to do it and it really takes its toll, this is the toughest, hardest competition in the world.

“To win back-to-back premierships is a remarkable achievement.

“To do that speaks volumes about the team.”

Queensland back-rower Chris McQueen, shapes as a key player in 2015 in the absence of Burgess and Te’o.

“What we have done this year is incredible and that is the task that awaits us,” he said.

“It is a huge challenge and it hasn’t been done for a long time but I think with the team we have and what we have built here it is something we could do.”

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For now though Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds is content just to live in the moment.

“Back-to-back premierships would be massive,” he said.

“But we are just going to enjoy this first.”

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