NRL 2023: Matty Johns slams South Sydney Rabbitohs for releasing Sam Burgess
Matthew Johns has warned the Rabbitohs’ decision to let favourite son Sam Burgess walk away from the club could ruin their finals hopes. See the full SPORT CONFIDENTIAL.
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Matthew Johns says he is blown away by South Sydney’s decision to part ways with Sam Burgess and has warned that the club needs to repair any splits in the ranks or face being exposed by the Sydney Roosters.
Burgess severed ties with Souths earlier this week amid claims that he was at odds with head coach Jason Demetriou over the handling of Rabbitohs stars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker. His departure came from left field, although rumours had been rumbling for weeks over dissension in the Rabbitohs camp.
“I am shocked,” Johns said.
“I am blown away by it. I don’t know the nuances of what is going on there, but if Sam Burgess says we have a problem here, then guess what? We have a problem here.
“I am really shocked by it. They have two weeks to get their sh*t together, they have a big game coming up against the Roosters.
“When you are trying to get your sh*t together and you are consolidating and getting everyone going, Sam Burgess in my opinion would have been manna from heaven, he is the sort of bloke you need.”
Johns believes that the Rabbitohs have been living in denial for weeks. They have all the talent in the world but Johns, speaking on The Matty Johns Podcast, said they were fast running out of time to turn things around.
“The back half of this year I have said often at times about South Sydney, South Sydney are an absolutely outstanding football side that lull themselves into thinking they can flick the switch whenever they want,” Johns said.
“That is not the case. They have been playing a really frivolous, careless style of football for too long and unfortunately now the pressure is on, that has become them.
“This next two weeks they have a massive job. They have to get everyone in, if there is any splits in the camp or any bullshit going on, they have to sort it out and get on with it.
“If they can do that, they can have an impact. But if they don’t fix it all, then under pressure against the Roosters it will come out.”
GARRICK BREAKS SILENCE ON TACKLE THAT BROKE HIS BACK
Manly’s Reuben Garrick has absolved Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of any blame but believes the Warriors fullback should have been penalised last weekend for the tackle that left him nursing a broken bone in his back.
Garrick is yet to return to training but he hasn’t given up hope of making a remarkable recovery in time to play against the Bulldogs this weekend as the Sea Eagles look to finish the season on a high.
The tackle itself has polarised rugby league fans and Garrick admitted he was surprised the Sea Eagles didn’t receive a penalty.
“I thought it should have been (a penalty),” Garrick told Sport Confidential.
“Charnze messaged me that night - I have no hard feelings towards him. He was just playing by the rules of the game and he is a great competitor who plays the game fairly.
“I just thought it might have been a penalty. I guess that is up to the refs and their opinion. That is what they chose at the time and you have to roll with it and move on.
“I was just jumping for the ball really. In the air, I was like I have been up in the air for a bit longer than I would like. You are bracing yourself.
“It is part of the game - that sort of stuff happens every now and then. I am glad I am okay.”
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys has suggested they may look at the rule in the offseason but Garrick was wary about making adjustments without considering the consequences.
“I honestly don’t know because it changes a couple of other things as well,” he said.
“It would have repercussions for other parts of the game like grubbers. I think it is just common sense …. rather than actual rule changes.”
Garrick insists he hasn’t given up hope of playing again this season.
“Obviously it is still pretty sore,” he said.
“It will be right. I haven’t trained yet or anything like that - we’re trying to let it settle down. It is pretty protected with all the muscle around it from my understanding.
“I guess it is a pain management thing. It is taking it easy until it feels better.”
MORRIS’S WESTS TIGERS EXIT CLAUSE
Wests Tigers trumpeted the signing of John Morris on a four-year deal, but it is not as straight forward as it seems.
Morris will return to his former club the Tigers to take on a senior assistant’s position under ex-teammate Benji Marshall.
However, Sport Confidential has learnt that Morris will be free to leave after two years if he takes up a head coaching job elsewhere. Morris still harbours an ambition to one day become a head coach again following a successful stint at Cronulla was surprisingly cut short despite back-to-back finals appearances.
Morris’s decision to leave the Rabbitohs at the end of the season and Sam Burgess’s departure to join Warrington leaves a spot open at South Sydney to work alongside Jason Demetriou.
The Rabbitohs are sorting through their options at the moment which includes promoting current NSW Cup Joe O’Callaghan. Another option is to look externally.
David Furner’s name has been mentioned. He still has a deal at the Tigers but could be on the outs at the club.
Morris has had unwanted headlines this week given the uproar at South Sydney. However, he reconfirmed his commitment to the club for the rest of the season after a series of crisis meetings.
Morris won’t be the only appointment the Tigers make. They have reached out to St George Illawarra interim Ryan Carr. They are also considering the likes of veteran assistant coaches Craig Sandercock and Steve Georgallis.
The Rabbitohs have delayed announcing the re-signing of Demetriou’s three year deal so they can announce their entire coaching staff as a package. Ben Hornby has re-signed for two years but they want to add one more member to their staff.
HOLBROOK’S SHOCK COACHING RETURN
Justin Holbrook has wasted little time returning to a head coaching position with the former Titans mentor to take charge of the PNG national team.
Holbrook has been appointed head coach of the Kumuls ahead of the end of the season Test series. He will take on the role this month before PNG play Fiji and Cook Islands in November ahead of a tri-nations final.
Holbrook has been in demand since his surprise axing from the Titans earlier this year. He was courted by the likes of Canterbury and the Tigers to join as an assistant coach before joining Trent Robinson’s staff at the Roosters from next season.
Samoa also reached out as they look to replace Matt Parish.
“You only have to speak to anyone associated with the game in PNG to see the passion they have for rugby league,” Holbrook said. “They are a country that are looking to the future and building a structure that will support the development of the game in this country for years to come.
“There is an enormous talent base of players in PNG and a real desire to compete against the best.”
The move continues PNG’s push to secure the foundations of the game as they continue to work in the background to be part of an expanded NRL competition.
PNG also made a stack of other head coaching appointments including; Ben Jefferies (Orchids), Joey Grima (Junior Kumuls) and Solomon Kuluniasi (Junior Orchids).
PNG Kumuls chairman Wapu Sonk said Holbrook’s signing was a big step forward.
“Having someone of the calibre of Justin coaching the Kumuls is a major boost for rugby league in the country,” Sonk.
Holbrook replaces Stanley Tepend. Shane Flanagan – who assisted Tepend at last years World Cup – was the frontrunner for the job before he took up the Dragons position.
FLASHBACK
Benji Marshall and Luke Brooks were in the headlines for good reasons on this day 10 years ago. A fresh-faced Brooks was anointed as Marshall’s long-term replacement after a stellar debut against the Dragons. The Tigers won 34-18 against St George Illawarra with Marshall switching codes to play rugby at the end of that season.
NO BEEF
Manly star Jason Saab insists he has nothing personal against Zac Lomax after revealing he had spoken to coach Anthony Seibold about having a fight in the offseason, potentially against his former St George Illawarra teammate.
“I have been boxing the last couple of years and I wanted to get into the ring at some point - I didn’t think it would come so soon,” Saab said.
“Whether it is Zac or someone else it doesn’t really matter. It was funny, I was just asked if you were to jump in the ring, would you jump in with anyone.
“I said I heard Zac wanted to jump in the ring. Honestly, I was trying to think of someone I could match up with - same height.
“It started as a harmless question and then it trickled down the line. I don’t have anything with Zac personally. I was (thinking) honestly what would be a good match-up.
“That’s all I could think of - the only person I could really think of.”
Saab said his focus at the moment was on finishing the season strongly for Manly but once his club commitments were over, he would turn his mind to the squared circle.
“I spoke to Seibs and I made it known to him,” Saab said.
“The season is not done yet. I am not going to talk about it too much until the season is over. I have spoken to Seibs briefly about it and he is okay with it.
“I love the sport of boxing. It is something that has grown over the last couple of years. At the same time I am just trying to become the best athlete I can and use everything to my advantage while I am young.
“I thought I would be good for my growth as a person - jumping in the ring. I think I have what it takes to do something like that.”
DRAGONS CLEANOUT CONTINUES
Another St George Illawarra player has been given permission to leave the club if they are able to secure a deal elsewhere.
Utility back Paul Turner is the latest Dragon told by incoming coach Shane Flanagan that he can move on at the end of the season despite having 12 months left on his deal. The Dragons have already been able to free up about $500,000 next season with Jayden Sullivan joining the Tigers and they hope the likes of Turner, Zane Musgrove, Jaiyden Hunt and Max Feagai will also leave.
The quartet have deals locked in for next season but Flanagan is desperately trying to create some salary cap and roster space to fix a squad which desperately needs reinvigoration.
Turner was signed late in the pre-season to cover for the injured Cody Ramsey. Ramsey is still fighting an ongoing health battle and it seems highly unlikely that he will be in a position to return next year.
Turner has played just one NRL game this season after signing from the Titans.
Off-contract back-rowers Billy Burns and Dan Russell may remain at the club next season after solid performances in recent weeks.
MAL MAKES CALL ON KANGAROOS FUTURE
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has indicated a desire to extend his time at the helm of the national side as the ARL Commission prepares to discuss whether he should continue coaching the side after this season.
Meninga is off contract at the end of the year and is keen to sit down with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and the ARL Commission to discuss his future. It is understood his contract is on the agenda for a commission meeting next week.
It seems hard to believe the commission won’t offer Meninga a new deal given his body of work since taking over the Kangaroos.
The Australian team has enjoyed unmitigated success on Meninga’s watch, capped off by victory at last year’s World Cup in England.
“Really happy with the way things went last year with the World Cup,” Meninga said.
“We have a schedule now that we know we can work towards. It makes it a bit more exciting. I think there is a spirit of co-operation there.
“I just need to talk to Andrew about it and then the commission. It’s a good way to stay in the game. I enjoy working with the players.
“We started something brand new last year.”
BRONCOS STAR SET TO HIT OPEN MARKET
Brisbane star Ezra Mam can put himself in the shop window this week after it emerged that Canberra were monitoring the Broncos pivot as a potential replacement for departing five-eighth Jack Wighton.
The Raiders have been scouring the NRL for potential options as they look to find a partner for Jamal Fogarty. Mam is about to enter the final year of his deal at the Broncos, meaning he is free to sign with rival clubs on November 1.
The Broncos’ cap squeeze has been well documented and Mam will only make matters worse should he head on the open market, where he is expected to receive some significant offers after a standout season.
The Raiders are among the clubs keeping an eye on developments as they look to strengthen the side in Wighton’s absence.
KNIGHTS HOPE TO LOCK DOWN ORIGIN STAR
Newcastle are confident they will be able to retain in-form centre Bradman Best who is off-contract at the end of the season.
Best has indicated he wants to remain at the club and Knights are officials are confident that will be the case. The current sticking point is that Best is the midst of changing agents, meaning Newcastle have been unable to negotiate a new deal with the 22-year-old. It is a similar situation to what Jarome Luai finds himself in at Penrith.
OMINOUS SIGNS
There is some good and bad news for Sydneysiders as the end of the NRL regular draws near. It is rare that just three teams from Sydney look like making the top eight; Penrith, Cronulla and potentially South Sydney or the Roosters. That has happened just twice in the past two years – 2016 and 2011. On each occasion a Sydney side has won the title (Cronulla and Manly).
STORM WARNNING
Melbourne Storm head of football Frank Ponissi has been lured across the great code divide as he joins a panel set up to find the next coach at Richmond AFL club.
Ponissi is not only one of the most respected figures in the NRL, but one of the most revered on the Victorian sporting landscape.
Richmond have now chosen to tap into his experience and nous.
“Frank Ponissi has been general manager of football at the Melbourne Storm since 2007,” Richmond president John O’Rourke said.
“He has been a highly successful coach and administrator both in Australia and internationally. Frank works closely with Storm head coach Craig Bellamy, forming an elite partnership that has delivered four premierships and seven grand final appearances.
“He brings tremendous experience to the panel, understanding high performance environments and coaching that delivers sustained success.”
FUTURE OF SPORT?
Steve Smith and Nick Kyrgios have joined forces as co-owners of a football team Bondi FC … thanks to the magic of AI.
The entrepreneurial One Future Football is a global league which doesn’t actually exist in real life – it’s all digital and the players and results are computer generated.
Smith and Kyrgios are team owners of the Australian team, named Bondi FC and will come up against other sports stars including Naomi Osaka who own teams overseas.
The league is powered by two unique AI engines – one in game to generate passes, kicks and fouls, and one outside the field of play, which establishes narratives, controversies, and drama.
Smith will be hoping fake ownership comes with less stress than being a real team owner like Russell Crowe is experiencing at the moment with South Sydney.
CLUBS CALL FOR STAFF CAP INCREASE
A selection of clubs are pushing for an increase in the football department cap as they look to ensure coaches and football staff are given the same respect as the playing group.
Players received a monstrous pay rise as part of the new CBA but the football cap has been left behind - it remains at Covid levels.
It is understood some clubs believe it should be significantly increased given the money that is now flowing into the game.
The football cap, which is currently set at $5 million, includes coaching salaries as well as other football staff.
Clubs are taxed if they go over the limit and the fear among some is that players are being short-changed because clubs are concerned about overspending on support staff.
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