Shaune Corrigan.
Photo: Danielle Smith

SOUTH SYDNEY will get a good idea of what rookie centre Shaune Corrigan is like under pressure when he plays in the Charity Shield against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium tonight.

It might only be a trial match - albeit the most-publicised one of the pre-season, with a crowd of 25,000 expected, live television coverage and a traditional rivalry between the clubs to spark things up - but there is a lot riding on it for the 21-year-old from the Central Coast.

Corrigan is competing for a spot in the team for the opening round of the premiership, his manager, Steve Gillis, is negotiating a new contract for him with the club, and he will be playing opposite Dragons' representative centre Matt Cooper.

That is a lot to consider for someone who was working as an auto-electrician to provide the bulk of his income until he joined Souths' full-time squad in preparation for this season, but the fearlessness of youth appears to be working in Corrigan's favour.

"I'm a bit nervous, but I'm just as excited," he said yesterday, after the Rabbitohs trained at ANZ Stadium. "I would be over the moon if I got the chance to play in the first round. I just want to make sure I play well enough in this game to give myself a chance of being picked."