The Roosters Can Wing Bitter Rival's Hopes, But Politis Declares Truce With Souths
Sydney Morning Herald
Wednesday August 29, 2007
SOUTH Sydney's fairytale ride into the finals series is officially out of control - even Roosters supremo Nick Politis has jumped on the bandwagon.
With the Rabbitohs needing victory against his team on Saturday night to assure themselves a finals appearance for the first time since 1989, Politis yesterday shelved a century of bitterness between the foundation clubs to congratulate the Roosters' inner-city rivals.Oh yes, and hell just froze over."If Souths reach the finals, I think it will be a great thing for rugby league. I really do," Politis said. "They've done a great job. Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court have been a great influence. They're putting their heart and soul - and money - into the club. And it's really paying off. They've obviously created a great culture among their players and it really is showing."They should be congratulated. I would never want to see the Roosters lose, but it would be great to see Souths reach the finals. Good luck to them."Dirty, filthy blood has flowed between South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs since 1908, when the Rabbitohs defeated their neighbours in the final to claim the game's first premiership.Stoking the rivalry has been that Souths have been the most successful club since, with 20 premierships.And the Rabbitohs have long been convinced the Roosters have pillaged their junior stocks by opening the purse strings.On Saturday night, the clubs will vie for the Ron Coote Cup in honour of the man who won premierships for both clubs. The rangy lock and demon cover defender is one of the few things that unites them.Keenly aware of tradition, Politis and Crowe have fuelled the hatred in recent months, especially over Craig Wing's decision in June to return to Souths after eight seasons at Bondi Junction.Upon being told by Wing, Politis broke the news on the Roosters website, a move Crowe considered an act of pure cattiness. When Souths trumpeted the signing at a glitzy press conference at Sydney Airport, with Wing flanked by Crowe and Holmes a Court, Politis labelled Wing a "show pony"."But there's no bad blood between me and Wingy," Politis insisted yesterday. "He's a good guy, Wingy. He's been good for this club. We're still very close and he will always be part of the family."I'm sad to see him go, but that's the way it goes. He had to look after his future. He wanted a four-year deal and we only offered him two years."Does he regret calling Wing a "show pony"? "That was taken out of context. I didn't say he was a show pony. I just said they paraded him like a show pony."Does he regret breaking the news of Wing's defection on the Roosters website? "What am I supposed to do? Not tell my club or my board or our supporters? Am I supposed to keep it quiet so they can announce it? He's a senior player. What is wrong with telling our members?"Now there are whispers that Wing has been expressing apprehensions about his decision, given the Roosters' changed fortunes since Brad Fittler was installed seven weeks ago. Wing and Fittler - former teammates - are close friends. So too are their partners, Zoe Foster and Marie Liarris, who recently had a holiday in New York together. What is certain is that Politis remains unhappy about Wing's defection. As for Crowe's criticism for the Roosters, he is unfazed. "I've never met him," Politis said. "I know he has a dig at the Roosters. It doesn't worry me. Why would it?"Everybody has a go at the Roosters because, when you dominate like we have for 10 years, clubs become jealous. No one has dominated in the semi-finals like we have for the last decade. Maybe Russell Crowe has always wanted that."I don't really buy into the rivalry. Both our clubs have been around for a hundred years. When you go back that far, you'll always have some feeling. It means more to Souths than us."
© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald