Sam Burgess pictured with new club for first time

Sam Burgess has taken a training session with his new team, the Orara Valley Axemen for the first time – ahead of coaching the side next season.

Burgess has taken the reins with the Axemen to repay friend and Hollywood director Russell Crowe, who has stuck by him throughout the recent limelight concerning his ex-wife.

The former South Sydney Rabbitohs prop has also been given the green light by NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to discuss his ‘situation’ regarding going into coaching in the NRL.

That situation concerns Burgess’ standing down from coaching at the Rabbitohs when allegations were levelled at the rampaging forward concerning his lifestyle.

A police investigation left the 32-year-old with no case to answer, but the NRL investigation is still taking place and will only be solved once police provide them with the information in the case.

Abdo has since revealed just how close the NRL are to finding a conclusion to the investigation.

“Obviously the police have made an announcement that they are not taking any criminal action against him,” Abdo said.

“We now have to conclude our investigation which involves getting that information and then we will be in a position to finalise that. I don’t believe there are too many outstanding elements to that so it is something we would like to bring to a close.”