South Sydney taking on Group 20 Invitational side

The team features a number of the Rabbitohs top 30 players with NRL and international experience plus some of the Club's brightest, young, up-and-coming stars.

Bennett is using this weekend's game as a chance to give the young players a chance who aren't quite ready for the biggest stage.

"We have a lot of young players that hopefully have a long term future at Souths, but they aren't ready for NRL yet," he said.

"So to give them the opportunity to play here will be good for them because they will get a lot of confidence out of it and they will be putting a fair bit back into the community here as well. It's a win-win for us."

The Rabbitohs were last in the Riverina in 2019, and after the success of that trip, the club has been keen to return to the region.

"As a club we had asked a number of different organisations in the country if we could come out and play a game somewhere and we finished up out here," he said.

"We went to Albury-Wodonga two years ago, and it worked really well there so we thought we'd do it again."

As for what the veteran coach is expecting from the side composed of some of Group 20's best, Bennett feels it will be a side looking to put on a show for their home crowd.

"We have to respect our opposition here. We aren't coming here to blow them off the park," he said.

"We want to give them some hope, and I think it will be an even match. We will probably have a little bit on them in terms of conditioning because the kids are training full time, but other than that I think it will be a good game.

"I think they will be trying hard and looking to impress. They will be in front of their home town fans, and they won't want to embarrass themselves."

The Rabbitohs will also be taking part in a number of schools and club visits while in town, and Rabbitohs Head Coach Wayne Bennett will be appearing at a sportsman's night at Griffith Leagues Club on Friday, February 19.

Supporters will also have the opportunity to meet the Rabbitohs players at the team's final training run to be held at Solar Mad Stadium on Friday.

Souths squad

Blake Taaffe, Zane Bijorac, Steven Marsters, Tautau Moga, Jacob Gagai, Troy Dargan, Dean Hawkins, Patrick Mago, Joe Lovodua, Hama Sele, Jacob Host, Matt French, Trent Peoples, CJ Mundine, Nic Mougios, Lachlan Ilias, Davvy Moale, Maila Chanfoon, Jack Cameron, Peter Mamouzelos.

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