The Roosters have reportedly poached one of the Rabbitohs’ most exciting juniors in a move that’s sure to escalate tensions between the NRL arch-rivals. Just weeks after the Rabbitohs complained to NSWRL officials about the potential of the Roosters poaching their juniors, South Sydney’s fears have come true.
The Daily Telegraph is reporting that 17-year-old prodigy Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis has jumped ship from the Rabbitohs to the Roosters in a massive signing coup for the Chooks. Described as “South Sydney’s most exciting rookie since Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii”, Anitelea-Tsioussis has played halfback, five-eighth and lock in the junior ranks.
Trent Robinson’s Roosters (L) have signed a highly-regarded prospect from Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs (R). Image: Getty
The teenager captained the Rabbitohs’ Harold Matthews Cup team at Under-17 level this year, and helped them reach the preliminary final. He’s also played in the NSW Waratahs’ elite pathways system, but has decided to focus on league rather than union.
Anitelea-Tsioussis is so highly-regarded that the Rabbitohs recently sent a memo to fans ensuring them the club was doing everything possible to keep him. Souths wrote: “The Rabbitohs are working towards securing the services of Anitelea-Tsioussis for the years to come. Anitelea-Tsioussis is a natural leader, a true professional with a complete and well-rounded game to match, including his ability to run, pass and kick.”
Anitelea-Tsioussis’ switch from the Rabbitohs to the Roosters comes after Suaalii did the same. Suaalii started in the South Sydney system as a youngster, before signing with the Roosters and eventually switching codes to play for the Wallabies.
Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis captained the Rabbitohs at Under-17 level. Image: South Sydney/NSWRL
Rabbitohs complain about Roosters moving into their territory
The Rabbitohs’ loss of Anitelea-Tsioussis also comes after they complained about the Roosters potentially stealing their juniors. Souths recently lodged a complaint with the NSW Rugby League about the Roosters using Matraville Sports High School for training their junior rep teams.
The Roosters have been using the school grounds for 15 years, but the Rabbitohs want their rivals kicked out as Matraville is technically in South Sydney territory. The Rabbitohs fear the Roosters could attract local Souths juniors to jump ship to Bondi by training in enemy territory.
Clubs can only play and train within their designated district boundaries, unless they’ve received approval from the relevant officials. Rabbitohs hierarchy believe the Roosters are breaching the rules by using the grounds at Matraville, but the Roosters claim they’ve poured in $200,000 to improve the facilities and have earned the right to use them.
“We think this is an important issue for all NRL clubs that have a strong relationship with their junior rugby league competitions and invest in pathways programs,” Souths CEO Blake Solly previously told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We have made our case to the NSWRL for the application of the rule in this situation.”
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Souths chairman Nick Pappas told the Daily Telegraph: “I find it disappointing that the Roosters have effectively invaded our district to train their junior representative teams, knowing full well that [it] will cause significant disruption to our own juniors. Either we have districts for our juniors or we don’t have districts. Given the opposition the Roosters have openly expressed regarding our return to Allianz, to now come and train their juniors at Matraville, in the heart of our district, is brazen.”
Souths and the Roosters have a long and bitter feud stretching back decades. It escalated earlier this year when the Rabbitohs were blocked from playing more home games at Allianz Stadium – the Roosters’ $828 million home ground.