JASON TAYLOR

Just when battle-weary South Sydney fans think it’s safe to return to their club comes news that it’s divided again. Last June, the club’s members supported Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court’s privatisation bid on the guarantee of unification. But we hear key individuals crucial to the bid’s success aren’t happy campers; they believe the new regime discarded them within hours of the successful vote.

Ah, good ol’ South Sydney.

The removal of coach Shaun McRae to make way for Parramatta caretaker Jason Taylor (RIGHT) even had Crowe and Holmes a Court in dispute. Crowe wanted Holmes a Court to honour the undertaking made to McRae that his position was safe. Instead, the urbane multi-millionaire snapped up Taylor, who, after replacing Brian Smith mid-season, had just taken Parramatta on an improbable nine-game winning streak to reach the play-offs.

Can Taylor do that with the Bunnies? The arrival of Asotasi, David Kidwell (Storm), Nigel Vagana (Sharks) and Dean Widders (Eels) – among others – suggests they’ll improve. Taylor’s regarded as a sharp strategist and the players have warmed to him, not least because he socialises with them – something McRae rarely did. He’s also his own man and unlikely to be clearing team line-ups with management – something McRae was required to do. But finding the next win at Souths with all the off-field shit going down won’t be easy – something McRae knows better than most.

RICKY STUART

Stuart often wears the scowl of Tony Soprano (actually, which coach doesn’t?), but the word from the Sutherland Shire is that Sharks players like their new mentor. It’s understood that he delicately navigated some of his squad through tough personal issues during the off-season. It impressed.

Stuart’s likely to suffer some issues of his own, though. After winning the premiership in Stuart’s rookie year, the Roosters’ freefall over the last two seasons questions whether their ex-coach is the real deal without a champion like, say, Brad Fittler.

How he directs maligned halfback Brett Kimmorley will be pivotal – for player as much as coach. There was speculation they fell out after Kimmorley threw that intercept pass while playing for Stuart’s NSW side in the Origin opener in ’05. But with Kimmorley off-contract and fighting for his NRL life, they need each other.

Stuart could just work. There’s a theory that life in the Shire can be like a caravanpark holiday. Just as his old club will enjoy Anderson’s serenity, Stuart’s full-throttle approach could spark up Cronulla … or see them crash and burn spectacularly.

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