Slammin' Sam's the man for Lang

Souths' impressive training facility at Redfern Oval will also be called the Australian Technology Park Performance Centre.

Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson said the centre had ''an enormous influence'' in capturing Burgess and Souths' other big-name recruit, David Taylor, from the Broncos. Richardson said that for the first time in his 5 ½ years at Redfern, the bookies had Souths shorter than 20-1 to win the next premiership.

If the dream comes true, it will be the 21st premiership for rugby league's most successful club.

And perhaps there is an omen in Burgess's arrival. He will touch down in Sydney on December 14 - his 21st birthday.

Getting treatment at the centre yesterday was another of Souths' star forwards, Roy Asotasi, who is recovering from a knee reconstruction.

Lang expects the Kiwi international will be right by the start of the season.

The prospect of playing behind a massive pack boasting Asotasi, Taylor and Burgess has Souths halfback Chris Sandow excited.

''It's looking good for me and [five-eighth] John Sutton,'' said Sandow, who was far less excited about the sandhills at Wanda Beach he and the team are tackling this weekend.

Source: www.smh.com.au/news/lhqnews/slammin-sams-the-man-for-lang/2009/11/13/1258043793473.html