Sam Burgess: Incoming Warrington Wolves boss set for early South Sydney Rabbitohs departure
Assistant coach at South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sam Burgess signs autographs for fans before the NRL Round 25 match between the Newcastle Knights and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Photo by AAP Image/Darren Pateman.
Incoming Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess is set to part ways with current club South Sydney Rabbitohs alongside fellow assistant John Morris.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the pair could leave the club amid disagreements about special treatment to superstars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, with accusations that boss Jason Demetriou is not holding them to the same standards as their team-mates.
NRL journalist Michael Chammas claims that the Rabbitohs, who are in danger of missing out on the finals this year with a current eighth spot on the table, are set to finish the season without the coaching pair. The duo are expected to be placed on gardening leave for the remainder of the season, although the reason behind their departures remain unclear.
The decision would leave Ben Hornby as the club’s sole assistant, with the final decision to be made by the board this week.
Former Cronulla boss Morris, 43, was off contract at the end of the season and has been linked with Wests Tigers as Benji Marshall’s assistant next year.
Sam Burgess appointed Warrington boss
NRL legend Burgess, who helped the Rabbitohs to NRL glory in 2014 and won the Clive Churchill Medal, will lead Warrington in Super League next season after the club confirmed a two-year deal for the former international forward.
The decision followed the departure of Daryl Powell at the end of July, with Gary Chambers taking over on an interim basis for the rest of the season.
Burgess captained England in the 2017 World Cup final Down Under, and also represented Great Britain and the NRL All Stars.
He retired in 2019 through injury, named in the NRL Team of the Decade.
“From playing in the Super League to having the opportunity to lead an incredible club, it’s a full circle moment and one I am fully committed to and excited by,” Burgess said on his Warrington appointment.
“I want to thank Simon [Moran], Stuart [Middleton] and Karl [Fitzpatrick] at the Wolves for their courage and collaboration, as I look forward to returning to England to coach this great club.
“To Russell [Crowe], Blake [Solly], JD [Demetriou] and the stakeholders at South Sydney, thank you for supporting me in taking on this new position.
“We still have an opportunity to play some great football for the remainder of the year and to do so alongside our current staff and squad, is my focus.”
READ NEXT: NRL playmaker talks confirmed as club moves ahead in Huddersfield, Leeds and Hull transfer fight