Sam Burgess issues NRL warning to ex-St Helens man Lewis Dodd after South Sydney Rabbitohs switch

Sam Burgess believes Lewis Dodd will find himself under pressure as he attempts to find his way in the NRL. Dodd has made the switch from Super League and St Helens to South Sydney Rabbitohs in the off-season, penning a three-year deal with Burgess’ former club, who are now coached by Wayne Bennett.

He is expected to wear the number seven shirt for the Bunnies and form a partnership with Cody Walker in the halves as the club look to improve on last season’s finish of 16th. Of course, Dodd already has plenty of first-grade experience, having spent four seasons in the St Helens pivots.

In that time he has amassed 88 appearances and scored 30 tries, and it was that form that caught the eye of Souths, who secured his signing for 2025 earlier this year. However, the step up to NRL is a big one in terms of standard and the 22-year-old will certainly be put to the test in the sport’s premier competition.

Being a Souths player will certainly be a different experience to what Dodd is used to, as well, with the club being one of the most watched and scrutinised teams down under. As such, Burgess believes Dodd will have to overcome the pressure and expectation if he is make a success of himself in the NRL.

“There’s no doubt he’s got a challenge,” Burgess said while speaking on Australian radio show The Run Home with Joel and Fletch. “Any half-back coming into a big club there’s always a bit of pressure and he’s signed a big three-year contract so with that comes expectation.

“No doubt there’s pressure like on most half-backs but if he has one guy leading him in Wayne, he’ll figure out a way to navigate that away from him and place the pressure somewhere else if he can. He’s got a challenge like everyone else, and no doubt it will be a tough step up for him.

“Some of those back-rowers floating about in the NRL, just trying to isolate the three defenders which is where he’ll be, he’ll have his work cut out some days. That’s something I’m sure he’s aware of and looking forward to.”