If you don't know the saying; 'When South Sydney are doing good, the league is doing good' then you don't really know much about rugby league. Many years after being the head haunchos of the league, the Rabbitohs were the laughing stock. While there were many tough years after Russell Crowe bought the Bunnies, his vision along with the vision of many old heads is now becoming visible.

When Crowe became co-owner of the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2006 with Peter Holmes a Court, he would have dreamt of the South's roster being fill with star power as well as the stadiums being fill with people. Despite many years near the bottom of the league, Crowe has been able to lure big name players to the club. This did not always have the desired affect as the club still struggled to find the right culture that the top teams such as the Melbourne Storm had.

With the arrival of three men, (along with the owners) Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis and Michale Maguire, the Bunnies are now the complete rugby league team. Gone are the days of sub par players and bad attitudes. They now possess one of the greatest teams of the modern era. Whether they are able to turn that in to championships remains to be seen but it is a joy to witness this.

Sam Burgess's effect is seen both on the field and in the playing roster. On the field there a very few who are as capable, as Sam Burgess. A huge specimen who plays in the middle, Burgess has brought toughness in spades which is an important component of a winning formula. He is also a charming happy go lucky character who constantly represents the Rabbitohs in the media on the Footy Show etc. This can't be underestimated. Neither can the fact that he has brought his three brother with him. Luke and twins George and Tom Burgess have come in to the Australian rugby league environment and are well on their way to be a raving success. They are all huge human beings and to be able to lock in four brothers who all resemble a bulldozer is a great coup.

The Rabbitohs have always had strong ties to the Indigenous community. In Greg Inglis, they have an exceptional role model for young Aboriginals (can't forget Nathan Merritt here) as well as a freakish athlete. Most importantly the have G.I. in his prime. At the Storm his athletic ability was undoubted, but at the Rabbitohs, a new mature Inglis has emerged. A leader. Now his athletic ability is matched by his leadership. This leadership has bought a sometimes fragmented group together. When players are pondering whether to make an extra effort and the see one of the best players ever doing everything he can to get a win, they will know which choice is best.

Lastly Mr Maguire. Michael Maguire has turned the Rabbitohs in to a tough, defence orientated team which allows their natural attacking ability to flow. Early on in his tenure, the old Rabbitohs mindset was still evident. They would play tough footy for 60 minutes and switch off for 20. Now, with some time to get used to and fully understand Maguire's coaching style, the Rabbitohs are capable of playing other teams out of the contest. Most importantly, the Rabbitohs appear to be having fun. They enjoy training together and enjoy the rewards that playing tough, uncompromising footy can bring.