SYDNEY, NSW: The Rabbitohs NRL team is on a high with the news that De'Longhi has signed again as the team's major Away corporate partner, the V8 Supercars are the major Sleeve partner, and the team trounced the premiership leaders St George Illawarra 41 to 6.

It’s official, the Rabbitohs future is secure with the news that De’Longhi Australia has extended its major Away corporate partnership of the NRL team for 2010 with an option for 2011.

Also, the V8 Supercars will be the club’s new major Sleeve corporate partner for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Russell Crowe also gave coach Jason Taylor his vote of approval and full backing.

All these things combined surely helped the team ahead of its game on Saturday against the then premiership leaders, St George Illawarra, which the Rabbitohs won convincingly.

In a press conference at ANZ Stadium last week to announce the corporate partnership deals, Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe was joined by CEO De’Longhi Australia, Paolo Albertoni, and chairman and acting CEO of V8 Supercars Australia, Tony Cochrane. Also at the press conference was V8 Supercars driver, Russell Ingall.

“At Delonghi we are very excited to continue our association and partnership with the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” said Paolo Albertoni.

“We have been thrilled by the level of exposure that the Delonghi brand has received, since we began our relationship in 2008. This is truly a credit to the power of the Rabbitohs brand.

“The synergies between the two brands are evident in our approach to business. Both led by determined and professional management, supporting a developing team with a strong desire, commitment and capability to succeed, coupled with a clear and strategic vision for the future.

“We have developed a true partnership and we highly value the strong commitment of the Rabbitohs to the community and their members. This is particularly relevant for an Italian brand, with a strong desire to increase brand awareness and to further enhance its connection with the Australian public.”

Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson also noted the synergies between both organisations.

“De’Longhi has been one of our most valued partners over the past 18 months and we’re looking forward to continuing our association with the company and their people,” said Richardson.

“We see a lot of synergies between our organisations, as we both strive to be the leaders in our respective fields, we’re both innovative and looking for the best ways to do business. De’Longhi has become one of the most highly regarded and recognisable consumer brands in Australia and we’re delighted to part of its continuing penetration of the Australian market.”

“To be able to associate the South Sydney Rabbitohs with organisations such as NAB, De’Longhi, V8 Supercars and Virgin Blue is a credit to the people who have turned this Club around since private investment in 2006.

“Our 15,000 members, our 8,600 ticketed members and our 200-plus corporate partners will be excited to know that we can continue to attract organisations such as these to our club and that we continue to climb upwards towards our goal of winning our 21st premiership.”