LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Former Newcastle Knights players and rugby league legends Matty and Andrew Johns have criticized South Sydney Rabbitohs over the departure of assistant coach Sam Burgess.
Matty Johns expressed his surprise and concern about the situation, stating that if Burgess identified a problem, then there is indeed a problem.
He believed that Burgess would have been valuable for the Rabbitohs in their upcoming crucial game against the Roosters, as he is the type of person they need during such times.
The Rabbitohs are set to face the Roosters in a do-or-die clash that will determine their fate in the finals.
Unfortunately for South Sydney, they will also be without Latrell Mitchell, who is suspended due to his elbow on Tyson Frizell.
Andrew Johns questioned why the club did not address the issues earlier, hinting at potential mismanagement within the organization.
Burgess left his role as assistant coach just two weeks before the NRL finals.
While the official reason given was his desire to focus on the upcoming birth of his child and his move to a head coaching role at Warrington next year, rumors suggest that he could not align with coach Jason Demetriou anymore.
The club legend had reportedly raised concerns about the treatment of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, as well as the lack of adherence to certain standards by Demetriou.
The Rabbitohs now have two weeks to regroup and prepare for their crucial clash against the Roosters.
Matty Johns emphasized the importance of getting their act together and consolidating their efforts for the game.
Souths will be hoping to secure a spot in the finals, but their chances are uncertain.
The match against the Roosters will determine their fate and could potentially see them miss out on the finals.
The departure of Sam Burgess as assistant coach has created a significant setback for the Rabbitohs, adding to the challenges they already face without the presence of Latrell Mitchell.
The club now faces an uphill battle as they strive to secure a spot in the finals.