The Rabbitohs are very excited to announce that representative outside back James Roberts will return home to South Sydney having signed a playing contract with the Club until the end of the 2021 season today.
Roberts has been granted a release from the remainder of his playing contract at the Brisbane Broncos and has signed an agreement to join the Rabbitohs immediately for the next two-and-a-half seasons.
Roberts, 26, has played 131 NRL games since making his first grade debut for the South Sydney Rabbitohs against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in round seven, 2011. Roberts, who is Rabbitohs First Grade Player Number 1081, played ten first grade games for the Rabbitohs in 2011, and was part of the South Sydney under 20s outfit which won its way through to the 2010 Toyota Cup under 20s Grand Final, playing alongside South Sydney team mate Adam Reynolds.
Roberts, a South Sydney junior from the La Perouse Panthers club, represented New South Wales in all three games of the 2018 season, played two games for Indigenous All Stars in 2016 and 2019, having previously represented City Origin in 2015.
James is regarded as one of the fastest players in the NRL and will add pace, strong defence, experience and class to the Rabbitohs’ backline.
Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, said: “James is a South Sydney junior who knows what it means to represent the Rabbitohs. He understands the standards set by ‘The Rabbitoh Way’.
Shane Richardson“He recognises and understands his responsibilities to the Club, his team mates and coaches, the Members and corporate partners, the Board and investors, and anyone else connected to South Sydney.
“Make no bones about it, James is an immense talent, a player capable of representing his State and Country under the right guidance, and we feel that James can return to his best football under Wayne (Head Coach Wayne Bennett) and the senior players we have here at this Club.
“He will add great strike to our backline and through our discussions with him, we know he wants to return to South Sydney for the right reasons, and he wants to help deliver this Club its 22nd Premiership.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing James back in the red and green jersey.”
Roberts is thrilled to be returning home.
“I’m really excited to be coming back to Souths and playing under Wayne again,” Roberts said.
“There are some great players at this Club and I can’t wait to get into training and getting back on the field.
“I want to thank the Broncos for everything they’ve done for me and my family over the past four years, but it’s time to move on and to be coming back to the club that I consider to be home is really special.
“I know what it means to the Members, fans and the community to represent South Sydney.
James Roberts“Now I can’t wait to pull on that red and green jersey and play for the Members and the fans of the Rabbitohs.”
Roberts will be available for selection for the Rabbitohs from round 13.
| Biography | |
|---|---|
| Name: | James Roberts |
| Date of Birth: | 3 March 1993 |
| Place of Birth: | Kempsey, NSW |
| Junior Club: | La Perouse Panthers |
| Position: | Centre, Wing |
| Height: | 183cm |
| Weight: | 97kg |
| Rep Honours: | Three State of Origin games for New South Wales (2018); Two games for Indigenous All Stars (2016, 2019); City Origin (2015) |
| Previous Clubs: | Rabbitohs (2011); Panthers (2013); Titans (2014-15); Broncos (2016-19) |
| NRL Games: | 131 (ten for the Rabbitohs, six for the Panthers, 36 for the Titans, 79 for the Broncos) |
| NRL Points: | 290 (from five tries for the Rabbitohs; six tries for the Panthers; 21 tries and one goal for the Titans; 40 tries for the Broncos) |
| NRL and Club Debut: | Rabbitohs vs Bulldogs, ANZ Stadium, 23 April 2011 (Rd 7) |
