Rivalry on again but no '60-8' talk before Rabbitohs face red-hot Roosters

Rabbitohs players have quickly hosed down talk of last year's record-breaking 60-8 thrashing of the Roosters as they prepare to host the ladder leaders on Friday night.

The after-effect of that lopsided result in the final round of last year's regular season appeared preceded the back-to-back premiers bombing out of the finals in straight sets over the following fortnight.

But having only just returned to the winner's circle themselves after a disappointing season-opener against the Storm, you don't need to remind Bunnies players about the strength of this Friday night's opponents.

"I'm sure the [Souths] fans, that's what they loved about last year but I can tell you now it's not going to be a game like that," hooker Damien Cook said.

"We're going to be in for a tough one, they've started the season off very well.

"They've only let in two tries as well and put on over 80 points. They've got plenty of footy in them. I think we're seeing the best of the Roosters at the moment so I think we're in for a big game this weekend."

Club owner Russell Crowe was reportedly planning on selling 60-8 T-shirts before the round-three clash at one stage but Cook was quick to brush off any association with the plan.

"I don't know, I won't be wearing it!" he laughed.

NSW lock Cameron Murray, who along with Cook was among the Rabbitohs' best in Saturday's gritty win over Manly, said the team quickly moved past the game to begin the focus on their biggest rivals.

"We did a review session [Monday] morning, dumped what's happened and our focus from tomorrow will be the Roosters," he said.

"It's always a big game against the Roosters. The rivalry is there.

"They've been pretty dynamic the first two games, they've put some points on both teams they've played. We'll have to be really good to beat them."

He praised the side's simple focus on going through the middle first and being able to defend their errors in their improved efforts after a slow start in round one.

"We tried to play a little bit through the middle there and generate some momentum, bring some ownership back onto the forwards there which I think we lacked a little bit last week in building some momentum for our backs," he said.

"Shortening our passing game, not throwing anything to anyone who's under a little bit of pressure.

"We just wanted to earn the right a little bit more through the middle there.

"I know for me especially I had a bit more of a focus on a run first mentality, not passing on opportunities to the outside backs when us as a team hadn't earned those opportunities.

"It was a really simple sort of mentality. It worked well for us."

The heavy rain and losing two players to head knocks made things tougher going than they could have been but the team was able to recover well.

"Wet weather footy, you're always going to see a few more errors so it was a little bit scrappy in parts there for us during the game," he added.

"What was pleasing to see was our response to those errors. I think our goal-line defence was good, we protected our line pretty well. We never gave up and came away with a win which helps."