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Eddy Pettybourne

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Tue, 09 Mar 2010 6:30p.m.

By Sam Ackerman

The Rabbitohs are set to field one of the most imposing forward packs in recent memory this season, after being the big movers in the NRL player market.

Among a host of international and Origin stars, young Kiwi second rower Eddy Pettybourne is set to play an important role in 2010.

He has just signed a new two-year deal with the Rabbitohs, after his breakthrough 2009 season.

"Makes me hungry, even coming to training every day, doing the best I can," he says.

Pettybourne's impact last year was so great, he'd barely settled into first grade before being asked to choose his future allegiance - State of Origin or New Zealand.

"Pretty tough time for me and my family, 'cause I was born in New Zealand but mostly brought up here. Always wanted to play for New Zealand, so I followed my word."

It paid off, with selection in the Kiwis' Four Nations squad - even though he didn't get on the field, the experience has lit a fire under the 22-year-old.

"It was awesome getting the call up, wish I played, but one day I will. Hopefully I do well this year, play good for the club, for Souths."

With new signings like England's Four Nations standout Sam Burgess and former Broncos wrecking ball Dave Taylor joining the Rabbitohs, competition for spots will be fierce.

"Looks good, got a lot of competition, a few of the young boys are coming up as well, so it's going to be tough getting that position, can't wait," says Pettybourne.

New Souths coach John Lang expects plenty out of Pettybourne, after extracting so much from Kiwi back rowers during his premiership-winning stint with the Panthers.

"Eddy's probably not quite as big as some of those guys, but Eddy's very quick, and quite an explosive player and he's got a really good football sense as well.

"He's always smiling, reminds me of Franky Pritchard in that way."

It could be a big season for Souths and their Kiwi smiling assassin.

smh.com.au

Dunk mail ... Rabbitoh Fetuli Talanoa warms up for practice at Redfern Oval by shooting a few hoops. "This year it's more about what happens on the field,'' he said. Photo: Steve Christo

THIS time, South Sydney captain Roy Asotasi says, Rabbitohs fans can believe the hype. Unlike 2008 when the Rabbitohs followed up their first finals appearance in 18 years with a season dominated by headlines about glitz and glamour but little on-field success, Asotasi said the latest Souths side was the real deal.

''That was a pretty hectic year, it was our Hollywood year,'' he said. ''It was all stuff off the field but there wasn't much happening on it.

''This year it's more about what happens on the field. We've probably been the noisiest club in the off-season, we've got Sam Burgess and Dave Taylor - two great young players - and Ben Ross so I can understand why they are all talking about us. Then there's guys like Michael Crocker and Eddy Pettybourne … we've got a great forward pack on paper. We've just got to do it on the field.''

Having targeted a top-eight finish as a must this season, the Rabbitohs believe they can go a lot further once they get into the finals.

''It's going to be good when everyone gets on track,'' Taylor said. ''When Ben Ross gets back, he should be good to go around the round-five mark, and with Michael Crocker coming back … when we get everyone back, we're going to be a great pack. If we can just gel on the field we're going to be the pack to beat.''