clontaago
First Grader
SOUTH Sydney's $2 million man Roy Asotasi has declared the Rabbitohs will shed a decade of mediocrity by making the semi-finals for the first time since 1989.
And the man touted as the successor to Shane Webcke as the code's top prop yesterday revealed he was willing to play 80 minutes a match to help get them there.
Having joined his teammates in training just over a week ago, Asotasi delivered the message long-suffering Souths fans have been waiting almost two decades to hear.
"We'll make the eight and go into every game thinking we can win," he said.
Asotasi and fellow New Zealand stars David Kidwell and Nigel Vagana trained with the Rabbitohs for the first time at Erskineville Oval yesterday after spending last week at a team camp on co-owner Russell Crowe's Coffs Harbour farm.
The former Bulldog said the trio had come with a winning attitude.
"We are going to accept nothing less than a top-eight berth," he said.
"The Bulldogs taught me to win and accept nothing else. I have brought that attitude over here with me and so have the other guys. We have to go into every game thinking we can win.
"We have to concentrate on the first half of the year and we need to be competitive right from round one. It will be one game at a time."
The 2006 Dally M prop of the year said the Rabbitohs' camp was abuzz with excitement.
"It's a new South Sydney side," he said. "The boys are enthusiastic and there is a lot of competition within the camp. There's a depth within the squad they haven't had before and everyone is excited about this year.
"The blokes from last year are talking about 'the new club'. And for me everything is new - new training, new weights and new teammates."
After establishing himself as one of the premier props last year, Asotasi said he could still improve.
"I will be doing my best and that tag (best prop in the game) would just be a bonus," he said.
"I will be looking to work on my skills with 'JT' (new coach Jason Taylor) and hopefully I will improve.
"I have to get my fitness up and I hope to play a lot of game time. I never have played 80 minutes but I want to get fitter and give it a go this year. Every player wants as much game time as they can get."
Fellow recruit Kidwell is also confident of Souths' chances in 2007.
"Guys will be competing for their spots this year," said the former Storm back rower.
"There will be pressure on my spot. I have to perform like everyone else.
"Everyone is training hard and we are aiming to be very competitive this year. We are looking forward to some good games but have to be focused on what we are doing now, not looking ahead of ourselves."
And the man touted as the successor to Shane Webcke as the code's top prop yesterday revealed he was willing to play 80 minutes a match to help get them there.
Having joined his teammates in training just over a week ago, Asotasi delivered the message long-suffering Souths fans have been waiting almost two decades to hear.
"We'll make the eight and go into every game thinking we can win," he said.
Asotasi and fellow New Zealand stars David Kidwell and Nigel Vagana trained with the Rabbitohs for the first time at Erskineville Oval yesterday after spending last week at a team camp on co-owner Russell Crowe's Coffs Harbour farm.
The former Bulldog said the trio had come with a winning attitude.
"We are going to accept nothing less than a top-eight berth," he said.
"The Bulldogs taught me to win and accept nothing else. I have brought that attitude over here with me and so have the other guys. We have to go into every game thinking we can win.
"We have to concentrate on the first half of the year and we need to be competitive right from round one. It will be one game at a time."
The 2006 Dally M prop of the year said the Rabbitohs' camp was abuzz with excitement.
"It's a new South Sydney side," he said. "The boys are enthusiastic and there is a lot of competition within the camp. There's a depth within the squad they haven't had before and everyone is excited about this year.
"The blokes from last year are talking about 'the new club'. And for me everything is new - new training, new weights and new teammates."
After establishing himself as one of the premier props last year, Asotasi said he could still improve.
"I will be doing my best and that tag (best prop in the game) would just be a bonus," he said.
"I will be looking to work on my skills with 'JT' (new coach Jason Taylor) and hopefully I will improve.
"I have to get my fitness up and I hope to play a lot of game time. I never have played 80 minutes but I want to get fitter and give it a go this year. Every player wants as much game time as they can get."
Fellow recruit Kidwell is also confident of Souths' chances in 2007.
"Guys will be competing for their spots this year," said the former Storm back rower.
"There will be pressure on my spot. I have to perform like everyone else.
"Everyone is training hard and we are aiming to be very competitive this year. We are looking forward to some good games but have to be focused on what we are doing now, not looking ahead of ourselves."
