Souths plan US return

parragirl · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:24 am Post subject: Souths plan US return

Coming to America ... Souths co-owner Russell Crowe with fans in Florida earlier this year. / Agence France-Presse

By Josh Massoud | April 22, 2008 12:00am

SOUTH Sydney are planning to forge ahead with a return trip to America in 2009, despite concerns from players that this year's Florida trial disrupted their pre-season.

While the ground-breaking warm-up game against Leeds in Jacksonville was a marketing success, some Rabbitohs football staff have questioned its contribution to the team's winless start.

There is a school of thought the taxing return journey across the globe impacted on the team's preparations, and is now being manifested in Souths sluggish on-field performances. But The Daily Telegraph has learned a follow-up trip is in the pipeline, with San Diego the preferred destination.

It is also understood high-ranking Rabbitohs officials have spoken to the Bulldogs about taking part.

The US experiment was the brainchild of co-owners Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe. Holmes a Court last night said the conversation with Bulldogs officials was "in no way serious."

"I have not spoken to them personally, and if anyone has it would be nothing more than, 'Wouldn't it be great if the Bulldogs played Souths in San Diego'," he said.

Holmes a Court said he had taken feedback on the Jacksonville excursion, but stopped short of linking it to the club's woeful start.

"I got the impression that it was difficult, worthwhile, challenging, interesting, exciting and by no means perfect," he said. "People will be running around and trying to blame our performance on something, but I won't engage in that. Looking backwards is not going to solve our problems."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,26799,23578720-5012663,00.html

_________________