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Ex-Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess set for sensational coaching move after being given ‘permission’

by
Callum Walker
August 29, 2022

Ex-Bradford Bulls and South Sydney Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess is set for a sensational coaching move after being given the green light.

Burgess has been coaching local rugby league side the Orara Valley Axemen, but will take over as assistant coach of the Rabbitohs from the 2023 season and beyond after the NRL has given the Grand Final winner the green light to return.

Just 33 years of age, the Yorkshireman has perhaps been through enough to last anybody a lifetime, having been fined $30,000 in March and banned from the NRL for taking illicit drugs and threatening Roosters rival Billy Smith.

That being said, Burgess was cleared of domestic violence allegations which has enabled the former hulking forward to land a sensational return to the NRL club where his career really took off.

And, after a successful time with the Axemen – whom he has led to the minor premiership in Group 2 and taken them to a home semi-final clash – Burgess believes he has what it takes to become a major hit back at Redfern.

“I’m confident I’ll be able to add value in what Souths are paying me to do, to be an assistant coach,” Burgess told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“I’ve learnt a lot in a short space of time with the Orara Valley Axemen [in Group 2]. We got the team back on top and now we are in a grand final, next weekend.

“Building a club from scratch is quite an experience and I’ve been doing a lot of work on myself. I’ve done it to be a better person and to be the father to my kids that I want to be.”

There had been murmurs that Burgess could take a coaching role with the England national side for the end of year World Cup alongside Shaun Wane, but nothing has been revealed on that subject yet.