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The South Sydney Rabbitohs are pleased to announce their team to take on the St George Illawarra Dragons in the 26th Charity Shield this Saturday 28 February at ANZ Stadium.

Rabbitohs Head Coach Jason Taylor has named his strongest available team for the 2009 Charity Shield. Captain Roy Asotasi will play his first game for the 2009 pre-season, as will winger Nathan Merritt. Taylor has named a 22-man squad for the feature pre-season event on the NRL calendar

The NRL Charity Shield match kicks off at 8pm with the Toyota Cup match starting at 6:05pm. Gates will open at 6pm.

Proceeds from the 2009 Charity Shield will go to supporting Souths Cares and Dragons Community. Souths Cares assists disadvantaged young people and their families, and focuses on Indigenous communities throughout Australia, focussing on the South Sydney district and the Coffs Harbour area. Souths Cares does this by drawing on the rich heritage of the Rabbitohs and engaging current players in the delivery of programs that promote the benefits of education and healthy lifestyles.

The Rabbitohs NRL side is:

1. Rhys Wesser
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Colin Best
4. Shaune Corrigan
5. Fetuli Talanoa
6. John Sutton
7. Chris Sandow
8. Luke Stuart
9. Issac Luke
10. Roy Asotasi (c)
11. David Kidwell
12. Shannan McPherson
13. David Fa'alogo

Interchange:
14. Beau Falloon
15. Eddy Pettybourne
16. Garret Crossman
17. Jamie Simpson
18. Luke Capewell
19. Chris McQueen
21. Ben Lowe
22. Jaiman Lowe
23. Dave Tyrrell

Coach - Jason Taylor

The Rabbitohs Toyota Cup side is:

1. Malcolm Webster
2. Kane Morgan
3. Junior Vaivai
4. Dylan Farrell
5. Cameron Pitman
20. Matt Mundine
7. Adam Reynolds
17. Jacob Nansen
9. John Joseph
10. Brad Lupi
11. Aaron Hammett
12. Brad Takairangi
13. Jason Clark (c)

Interchange:
8. Sione Kaivelata
14. Blake Judd
15. Brad Manton
16. Nathan Peats
18. Jake Shearer
21. Hayden O'Donnell
22. Tim Bennett
23. Jack Tulemau
25. Kennedy Pettyborne

Coach - Daniel Irvine

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have one of the richest histories in Rugby League. Established in 1908, the South Sydney Club has won 20 first grade premierships and provided 62 internationals for the Australian side, and have famously worn their cardinal red and myrtle green colours since inception.

The rebirth of the Rabbitohs began on 7 June, 2006 through a new partnership between Russell Crowe, Peter Holmes a Court and the then 8000 Members of the Club. The Rabbitohs made the semi-finals for the first time in 18 years in 2007, and have strengthened their season ticketed Membership to over 6,500 with over 12,000 total members in 2008. The Rabbitohs aim to have 8000 Ticketed Members in 2009.