LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a surprising turn of events, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have announced that they have parted ways with Sam Burgess with immediate effect.
This decision comes after reports emerged that the board was considering the futures of Burgess and assistant coach John Morris.
Burgess was already set to leave the club at the end of the season to take up a head coaching role at Warrington in 2024.
However, the board decided to make the separation immediate after consulting with co-owner Russell Crowe.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Crowe was called in for advice before the decision was made.
This adds an extra layer of complexity to the situation, as Burgess and Crowe are known to have a strong bond.
It is unclear what exactly led to the decision, but Burgess and Morris have reportedly been unhappy with the preferential treatment given to star players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.
The assistant coaches allegedly confronted head coach Jason Demetriou about the differential treatment, which may have played a role in the board's consideration of their futures.
Despite the departure of Burgess, Morris will continue in his role as assistant coach alongside Ben Hornby.
This latest development adds to the already tumultuous season for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
With just two games remaining in the regular season, the club is facing significant challenges on and off the field.
The immediate departure of Burgess, a highly respected figure in the rugby league community, is sure to have a significant impact on the team.
As the Rabbitohs navigate these uncertain times, it remains to be seen how they will fare without Burgess and with the ongoing issues surrounding preferential treatment.
One thing is for certain, though - the drama surrounding the club shows no signs of slowing down.