The South Sydney Rabbitohs are one of the biggest and well-known clubs in the NRL.
They’ve won the most first-grade premierships (21) and the second most minor premierships (17) in the history of Australian Rugby League.
Their early season form suggests they’re a team that can produce something special: an undefeated season.
If the Rabbitohs were to achieve this, they would become the first team to do so since St George achieved the feat in 1959.
A factor working in their favour is that the Rabbitohs have accomplished this before. In 1925 under the leadership of skilful five-eighth Alf Blair. However, back then the regular season was comprised of 10 games compared to the 24 played today.
In 2015, South Sydney have already amassed a monumental 52-point differential after three games, which has consisted of a 36-6 thumping of the Brisbane Broncos in Round one, a tight eight-point win over cross-town rivals Sydney Roosters in Round two and a comfortable 14-point victory over the Wests Tigers last Sunday.
These results prove that South Sydney can not only score points, but can also save points from going up against them. Their defence has been exceptional under the guidance of coach Michael Maguire.
With a winning record of around 70 percent over his South Sydney tenure, it’s hard to question his ability as one of the best coaches in the NRL.
Even with the loss of powerhouse utility man Sam Burgess, who made the move Rugby Union at the start of the season, South Sydney have already flexed their premiership muscle with a strong showing of solidarity towards the task of achieving back-to-back first-grade premierships.
The signings of both Tim Grant and Glenn Stewart have proven, and will continue to prove instrumental in what South Sydney achieve this season.
Young playmaker Adam Reynolds has cranked his game up a notch to become one of the most dangerous and complete halfbacks in the NRL. Combine this with the emerging talent of Luke Keary and the Rabbitohs have one of the best halves combinations going around.
Additionally, the freakish ability of South Sydney’s fullback Greg Inglis, and all-round play from barnstorming prop George Burgess, further highlight the current depth and good health of the Rabbitohs playing roster.
Should the key individuals of their squad remain healthy, I wouldn’t write off their chances. I will however, become red-faced if Eels, Bulldogs or Cowboys upset them over the coming weeks.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You could go the Knights option...they're 4 from 4... :-)
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Ah well, that's what happens! Wasn't expecting Parra to get the win to be honest, but maybe I should already start writing one on Souths decline hehe
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Hahaha! I would but I think that would make me look even worse than I do!
The Barry
Roar Guru
NO.....hahaha. Nice call...their undefeated season lasted a long time.....and ended by Parra as well.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hey Nathan, If you could now write an article that the Sharks won't win a game this season, that would be great :P
Louis McIntyre
Roar Guru
The same things were being tossed around about the dragons in 2011 but as history tells us the pressure, origin and injuries take their toll and in that case the club fell away massively. If the Rabbitohs keep winning then Inglis, Sutton, Stewart, Reynolds, McQueen, Keary and Walker would all be possibly in origin, they're not much chance winning a game with all of them out. Going undefeated is way to hard in the salary cap era.
Lachlan
Guest
It doesn't make a lot of sense to say Souths were lucky to play the Dogs. They had already beaten the teams that finished first and second to make the grand final.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
It'd be funny if they won every game but the GF. Souths 24-1 2015 runners up.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
In a word? No. It's too hard as it is for a team to go back to back (not having been achieved since 92-93) let alone a team win 25 consecutive matches over the course of a year that includes a period of three midweek rep games over 6(?) weeks during which after the two byes a player will still lucky to play twice. Not to mention how unnaturally close this competition can be with cellar dwellers upsetting the high flyers on a relatively consistent basis. Couple that with possible 5 day turn arounds and long travel distances (maybe not for souths but still some travelling involved) and it can all just be thrown into the "too hard" basket.
Mitchoh
Guest
Mitch Pearce sucks. As a NSWelshman living in Rednecksville i know for a fact that QLD love nothing more than when NSW announce Pearce as their 7. Banjos all round lol
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not really...it would probably be the worst season of league since............1925.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wow!!! That's now the craziest part of this whole article... :-)
The Barry
Roar Guru
The tab have a market for the rabbitohs to go 15 games undefeated. Making 15 is paying about $14. Not making 15 is paying $1.02.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
Wouldn't it be funny if they went close, or did end up achieving it. Thanks for your opinion.
Nathan Farebrother
Roar Guru
For the record, I'm an Eels fan (:
wayne lovell
Guest
I think it would be a safer bet putting money on them not even making the GF. At this point last year the Titans and Dragons were undefeated and battling for the top of the table.
Me
Guest
For real??? If a team ever completes a season undefeated, they would automatically become the greatest of all time. South's win last year was very good. But they were a lucky to face the dogs. There've been better teams / seasons in the last 10 years, let alone all time. And they've lost Surgess, Teo, Tuquiri, Lurgess, Avuaa, Turner (and temporarily Sutton & Walker). Keary's not too robust for a long season. And every team will be bring their toughest game, making it harder.
mick
Guest
You can write an article very soon about how stupid your original article (this one) really was.
mick
Guest
No way
Benny
Guest
I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that the rabbitohs won't go undefeated this year. Heck, I would bet a large sum of money that they won't be undefeated come round 15. All you need is a day where a team like the eels or warriors or bulldogs is on fire and the rabbits are a little off and they lose.