The Rabbitohs have announced the under 20s squad that will represent South Sydney in 2009.

Former first grade Rabbitohs player Daniel Irvine will be the Head Coach of the under 20s in 2009, his first Head Coaching appointment after deputising to Alan Wilson throughout 2008.

The Rabbitohs have assembled a mix of South Sydney juniors and talented newcomers to represent the Club in the competition this year, and Coach Irvine is pleased with the squad’s progress over the first few weeks of training.

“The squad is looking really good and they’re training hard so the early signs are good so far,” Irvine told www.rabbitohs.com.au.

“I think we’ve strengthened our squad from last year. We’ve added some big boys up front and some of the guys from the SG Ball squad last year have stepped up. They’re getting better everyday.”

After playing with an under-sized forward pack throughout 2008, the Rabbitohs have recruited three big men to bolster their forwards strength. Josh Starling from the NSW south coast, Jake Shearer from the NSW central coast, and Sione Kaivelata, a former Rugby Union player from NZ, have been added to the squad providing some size up front.

“He’s certainly the biggest 19-year-old I’ve ever seen,” Irvine commented on Kaivelata, who stands 198cm tall and weighs in at 114kg.

“He’s building his experience in Rugby League and he’s a very quick learner from what I’ve seen, so it will be interesting to see how he develops and how he learns from his team mates and the coaching staff.

“I’m pleased with the size of some of the guys we have this year and that should add to our grunt up front which we missed last year.”

Irvine, taking the reins of a football team for the first time, is keen to get the season started.

“It’s been exciting for me and I’m learning new things everyday,” he said.

“I have Greg Boulous as my Assistant Coach and he is very experienced at coaching teams so we’re working hard with each other to bring the team together and to get some good results on the board for the Club and the Members.”

The Rabbitohs under 20s squad is:

Brendan Barnes (Kensington)
Tim Bennett (Mascot)
Daniel Benson (Forster-Tuncurry)
Jason Clark (Coogee-Randwick)
Michael Cummins (Alexandria)
Dylan Farrrell (La Perouse)
Aaron Hammett (Arana Hills)
Brock Harmer (Macquarie)
John Joseph (Mascot)
Blake Judd (Mascot)
Sione Kaivelata (Mangere East, NZ)
Mark Kheirallah (Mascot)
Brad Lupi (North Sydney)
Brad Manton (La Perouse/Kensington)
Brock Molan (Coogee)
Kane Morgan (Kensington)
Matt Mundine (Earlwood)
Jacob Nansen (Kensington)
Haydon O’Donnell (La Perouse)
Nathan Peats (La Perouse)
Kennedy Pettybourne (Mascot)
Cameron Pitman (Matraville)
Adam Reynolds (Kensington)
Jake Shearer (Kincumber)
Josh Starling (Helensburgh)
Brad Takairangi (Cronulla-Caringbah)
Jack Tulemau (Mascot)
Taioalo Vaivai (Goodna)
Malcolm Webster (Dunghutti)