Robbie Farah is feeling the love at South Sydney after officially clocking on for his first day's work at his new NRL club.
The former Wests Tigers captain and premiership winner completed his first training session on Tuesday with the Rabbitohs at Redfern Oval.
Unwanted by Tigers management after 14 seasons and 247 games for the joint venture outfit, 32-year-old Farah has been warmly accepted by Souths fans and teammates after being lured to the club by Hollywood superstar owner Russell Crowe.
"He's getting plenty of love here, which is great," said Farah's brother Eddie, the Rabbitohs' head physio.
After ending the most-tumultuous year of his career in reserve grade following a falling out with Tigers coach Jason Taylor, Farah is set to get first crack at the Souths No.9 jumper.
But with Cameron McInnes off to St George Illawarra, Damien Cook - wanted by Cronulla but not secured by the premiers - is likely to challenge the incumbent Blues hooker.
In a sapping hour-long session of shuttle runs on Tuesday, a sweat-soaked Farah learned first hand he faced a gruelling three months of pre-season training as the Rabbitohs looked to rebound from a disappointing 2016 campaign.
Farah's arrival is among several signings for Souths, who continued their recruiting on Tuesday with the purchase of former Sydney Roosters and Penrith utility forward Anthony Cherrington for the 2017 season.
Cherrington played 19 NRL matches since making his debut in 2008 before the one-time Junior Kiwis representative spent the past three years at the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.
Cherrington's return to the NRL is the latest chapter in a rollercoaster career for the 28-year-old.
He was ordered to serve 150 hours' community service in 2009 for assaulting his then girlfriend, narrowly avoiding jail, but Souths coach Michael Maguire is happy to give him another shot.
"Anthony has a lot to offer the Rabbitohs," Maguire said.
"He is a versatile forward who can play both in the middle and on the edge. He comes to us with experience in rugby league and a good attitude to want to establish himself at the Rabbitohs.
"He will add to that depth and competition in our squad, which will be a positive thing for our club."
