In the lead-up to the NRL Auckland Nines final, the South Sydney players spoke about doing it for their hooker, Issac Luke.
Their skipper for the Nines tournament missed last year's grand final triumph against the Bulldogs through suspension, but in front of friends and family in his home country, Luke led the Rabbitohs to another piece of silverware after an extra-time victory against a gallant Cronulla Sharks.
"We spoke about [Issac] before the game," player of the tournament Adam Reynolds said. "This was an opportunity for him to lift the trophy. He was a big part of us winning the grand final last year. All credit to him. He's worked really hard in the off-season and is in the right frame of mind. It was pleasing to see him lift the trophy at the end there."
In the battle between the reigning champions and last year's wooden spooners, the Rabbitohs required 10 minutes of golden try extra-time to topple a defiant Cronulla outfit 18-14.
The Rabbitohs looked to have the game won at 14-8 with a minute remaining, but a try to Jack Bird in the corner presented the Sharks with an opportunity to send the match into extra-time.
The responsibility of slotting the sideline drop goal fell to rookie Valetine Holmes, but the pressure did little to rattle the speedster who split the posts.
The Rabbitohs had five consecutive sets to open the golden try period, but the Sharks withstood a five-minute barrage to force it into a second and unlimited period of extra time.
Joel Reddy looked to have sealed the deal in the corner, however the referee over-ruled the touch judge to call a forward pass. But in the opposite corner, retired winger Matt King dived over to seal the victory for the Rabbitohs.
"It's pleasing, it puts a smile on the face," Reynolds said. "All the hard work in the pre-season, this is just a bit of a bonus for us. We've got a few big weeks coming up now [Charity Shield and World Club Challenge] and our focus now moves to the next few weeks."
It was feared the win would be marred by a leg injury to Reynolds which forced the halfback from the field in the final seconds of the match, but he said there were no major concerns. "It's just a cork, nothing too serious," he said. "I was just out of breath. Credit to the Sharks, their defence was unbreakable at times."
Not many expected the premiers to take the Nines competition all that seriously given they are off to England later this month for the World Club Challenge against St Helens. However coach Michael Maguire wasn't afraid to risk some of his big name players in a bid to go deep into the tournament.
When Dylan Walker came off in the semi-final against Parramatta with an elbow complaint, Maguire had every reason to rest his star centre, however at 25-0 up Walker returned to the field after receiving treatment from the trainer.
He was one of several high profile Rabbitohs players – including Reynolds, George Burgess and Luke – who contributed to South Sydney's campaign in Auckland.
The Rabbitohs started slowly this year but still managed to get the job done 11-4 against a rookie-packed Panthers side in the opening game of the group matches.
Maguire's men then conquered last year's Nines champions the North Queensland Cowboys 19-12 in the second round before dismantling the Melbourne Storm 24-4. That set up a quarter-final clash against Rick Stone's Newcastle Knights, the Rabbitohs cruising to a 30-6 win before beating the Eels in their semi final 37-6.
