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On This Day: Simms Changes The Rule Books
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 1971, as we kick off our successful Premiership defence, there are two major rule changes to the game: the four-tackle rule is expanded to allow six tackles; and the value of a field goal is reduced from two points to one. The second rule change is widely attributed to Souths fullback Eric Simms, who has become so prolific at drop goals that it is seen as an unfair advantage. It wouldn’t prove to stifle the Rabbitohs as we won our opening six games and clamied the Premiership – only...
read moreBirth of South Sydney Rabbitohs
The game of rugby league was born on 29 August 1895 at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, in Yorkshire, UK. It was a breakaway competition from the ultra-conservative, but dictatorial, English Rugby Union. ‘Rugby’ was originally played by University and Public School men who could afford to pay their own expenses and time off work if injured. However the game gradually appealed to the hard-bitten miners and manual workers of the English North. The dispute about payment and compensation grew, culminating in a crisis meeting in 1894 when two...
read moreOn This Day: We Are Back!
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day, in 2002 and after two years exclusion from the competition, the South Sydney Rabbitohs took the field for their first game back in the NRL competitions. The match was played against what would be the 2002 Grand Final winners, the Sydney Roosters, before a crowd of 35,316 people at Sydney Football Stadium. The re-instatement was marked by the ringing of the timekeeper’s bell which was used to mark the start and finish of the Rabbitohs’ first match in 1908. The bell was rung by former...
read moreOn This Day: Sattler Plays With Broken Jaw
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 1970, Rabbitohs Captain, John Sattler, continued play after sustaining a serious jaw injury three minutes in to the Grand Final against Manly at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Sattler’s jaw was broken in three places after a big hit from Sea Eagles prop John Bucknall. Despite his injury and in a moment described as the most celebrated display of heroics in Rugby League history, Sattler refused to leave the field. Suffering from excruciating pain, Sattler managed to make 20 tackles, one offload and...
read moreOn This Day: The Miracle Of 55′
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 1955, after winning ten sudden death matches in a row, the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeated Newtown 12-11 to win their fifth Premiership in six years. Souths trailed 11 points to seven with six minutes left of the Grand Final match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Rabbitohs Halfback, Col Donohoe, chased a kick in the ruck by captain-coach Jack Rayner and scored next to the posts. A successful conversion by Bernie Purcell put Souths in front 12-11, winning their 11th consecutive match for the season....
read moreOn This Day: Dean Rampling Calls ‘Henry’
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 1984 Souths played a Manly side in a fiery clash in which we fought back from 14 down after 10 minutes to win the clash 22-18 amidst some classic Rugby League play. Having defeated Canberra in a midweek playoff to qualify, Souths play a Manly side full of internationals in the preliminary semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After falling behind 14-0 in the first 10 minutes, Rabbitohs prop Dean Rampling calls “Henry” as a scrum packs, instigating a wild all-in brawl. With captain...
read moreOn This Day: Rabbitohs Take On USA Tomahawks
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 2000, a South Sydney team plays a fundraising match against the USA Tomahawks on a cold Saturday night. The fixture is delayed by 30 minutes so that the 20,000 strong crowd can make their way into the packed venue. With the South Sydney Rabbitohs excluded from the competition for the 2000 season, the match against the US national side provided fans with the opportunity to watch football at their side’s traditional home. The encounter demonstrated the loyalty of the Red and Green faithful, showing...
read moreOn This Day: Simms Breaks Scoring Record
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 1969, Eric Simms kicks nine goals as the Rabbitohs defeat North Sydney 30-10 at Redfern Oval. The effort saw Simms break the record for most points in a Premiership season, moving past Dave Brown’s tally of 235 points in the 1935 season for Eastern Suburbs. The 1969 season would see the Rabbitohs legend finish with 265 points next to his name. This record would stand for nine years, until Parramatta’s Mick Cronin surpassed the count, scoring 282 points in the 1978 season. Currently, Hazem El Masri...
read moreOn This Day: Churchill Plays With Broken Wrist
Words: South Sydney Rabbitohs On this day in 1955, South Sydney legend and rugby league immortal, Clive Churchill plays on after breaking his left wrist in the first tackle of the Rabbitohs Round 17 match against Manly at Redfern Oval. The injury is treated with a cardboard splint at half-time and with Souths drawing level at 7-7 in the final minute of the match courtesy of a Les Cowie try, Captain-Coach Jack Rayner places the fate of the match in the wounded fullback’s hands. With his arm hanging limply by his side, an unfazed Churchill...
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