LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Sam Burgess, the legendary South Sydney Rabbitohs player, has departed the club amidst claims of an ugly departure.
Burgess, who was already set to leave at the end of the season to take up a coaching role in the Super League, has left his position as assistant coach with immediate effect.
The decision comes with two games still remaining in the regular season.
Reports emerged on Tuesday night that the Souths board were considering the futures of Burgess and fellow assistant coach John Morris due to a difference of opinion with head coach Jason Demetriou.
Co-owner Russell Crowe was reportedly brought in to help make the final decision, and Burgess left the club on Wednesday morning.
Burgess and Morris were said to be unhappy that Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were not being held to the same standards as their teammates during training sessions.
While Burgess has departed, Morris will remain at the club until the end of the year.
The Rabbitohs released a statement explaining that Burgess had left to focus on the impending birth of his child with his partner Lucy Graham, as well as his move to Warrington.
Burgess echoed this sentiment in his own statement, stating that it was the right time to leave "given the circumstances."
However, journalists called out these claims during a press conference held by Demetriou and club CEO Blake Solly.
Demetriou denied that Burgess' departure had anything to do with a clash between them or the treatment of Mitchell and Walker.