Former Wakefield Trinity star Jason Demetriou ready for major NRL coaching gig

Jason Demetriou is ready to take charge of the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the first time as their first NRL season under the former Wakefield Trinity star approaches.

Demetriou, who was assistant to legendary coach Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs, will take the reins for the first time in a major role in 2022.

The former utility star played 188 times for Wakefield Trinity between 2004 and 2010, scoring 75 tries and even kicking ten goals.

Demetrious initially came to UK shores at the end of 1999 to join the now defunct Lancashire Lynx before moving on to the Rochdale Hornets.

From there, the 49-year-old made the switch to the Widnes Vikings where he caught the eye of Trinity and was appointed skipper in his third season at the West Yorkshire club.

In doing so, Demetriou had the honour of being the first Australian without NRL experience to captain a Super League team and helped Wakefield stave off relegation in 2006, instead sending down local rivals Castleford.

He then helped the club to a record high fifth place finish in 2009 as Trinity finished ahead of the likes of Wigan.

The Australian then ended his career at the Keighley Cougars in a player-coaching role, hanging up his boots at the end of the 2012 season.

Since then, Demetriou has plied his coaching trade in his native Australia, returning Down Under to coach the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup, winning back-to-back minor premierships and the 2014 Queensland Cup Grand Final.

Assistant coaching roles at the North Queensland Cowboys, St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos and then Souths has set up the former Greek international to take over from the departing Wayne Bennett, with a number of watchful eyes in the UK.

On the back of Souths’ appearance in the Grand Final last year and with class players like Latrell Mitchell at his disposal, expectations will be high next year.