Departing South Sydney NRL star Craig Wing says the Rabbitohs have a fantastic future and hasn't ruled out one day returning to the competition.

Wing, who will join Japanese rugby union club NTT Communications in January, signed off by scoring one try and setting up another in Souths' last-gasp 26-24 win over Cronulla at Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

With a bulging portfolio which includes an NRL title with Sydney Roosters in 2002 and NSW and Australian representation, the 29-year-old utility leaves Australia having fulfilled all of his goals.

"Every single thing and more, so I'm very very happy, I'm very content," Wing told AAP.

"Sad isn't the word. I'm in good spirits, a little bit nostalgic and I feel very lucky and fortunate to say that I played the toughest sport in the world at the highest level for a period of time."

Souths will finish the season no lower than 11th, an improvement of at least three places on last year.

With the likes Ben Ross and Dave Taylor joining Souths for 2010, Wing was upbeat about the club's prospects after he leaves.

"Fantastic, they are going from strength to strength each year. The young guys are certainly so much wiser this year than they were last year," Wing said.

"Certainly the future is bright and the players they have got coming on board, it's going to be a very formidable side next year."

Wing is contracted to his Japanese club for two years but wouldn't totally rule out returning to the NRL after that period.

"I would never say never of course, but my immediate thoughts are just to go over there and do the best I can and see where I end up," Wing said.

Souths coach Jason Taylor was also optimistic about the Rabbitohs' 2010 prospects after watching some youngsters blossom when given late season opportunities to replace injured stalwarts.

"We've learnt some great lessons as a team. We've had key players in key positions get some real time together and build combinations, so it points towards a very good 2010 for us," Taylor said.

While Souths scored 103 tries, equal highest with Wests Tigers, Taylor admitted they needed to improve defensively after conceding 100.

The Sharks were left to lament a truly awful year, dropping at least a dozen places and finishing with 24 less points than last year.

Winger and captain Luke Covell believed the torturous season would at least prove to be character building for his players.

"I'm sure each individual player will take something different out it, but we've all built I'm sure a tougher type of character and it will be better for us in the future, especially the young fellows," Covell told AAP.

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