Buzz Rothfield: Sam Burgess’ debt to Souths, Nick Politis turns to Rabbitohs arch rival

Sam Burgess can’t be serious about choosing Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins ahead of the Rabbitohs for an assistant coaching role. BUZZ’S HIGHS, LOWS

Sam Burgess at NSW Blues training. He is keen on a coaching career (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Who would have thought Roosters chairman Nick Politis would ever turn to a player from arch-rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs to launch his latest venture?

The billionaire Roosters chairman has chosen Damien Cook’s back-up hooker at Souths, Peter Mamouzelos, to model the Greek jersey for the World Cup.

“I’m sure all my friends at Souths won’t mind,” he laughed.

Politis tipped in $100,000 to ensure the Greeks have enough funding to compete at the 16-nation tournament that starts in England on October 15.

The team will be coached by Todd Payten’s Cowboys assistant Steve Georgallis.

Rather than use any of his car dealerships as the jersey sponsor, Politis has put his favourite Greek island Kythera on the front and Aphrodite on the back, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty.

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South Sydney youngster Peter Mamouzelos in the Greece rugby league jersey.

Back view of the jersey Peter Mamouzelos will wear for Greece.

The Greeks face a tough battle at the World Cup.

They start off against Trent Robinson’s French side. They also have to play Samoa and England.

Samoa will field one of the hottest backlines at the tournament.

1 Charlie Staines, 2 Taylan May, 3 Izack Tago, 4 Stephen Crichton, 5 Brian To’o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Anthony Milford.

HIGHLIGHT

South Sydney’s win over the Parramatta Eels was all about Latrell Mitchell’s successful comeback. It was also a huge confidence booster for young halfback Lachlan Illias who bounced back so stylishly from the embarrassment of being hooked in his previous game against the Dragons.

HIGHLIGHT II

In one of the most courageous performances in Australia’s boxing history, Jai Opetaia won the IBF cruiserweight world title on Saturday night despite suffering a broken jaw. He can now sit proudly alongside George Kambosos as one of Australia’s best fighters.

Sam Burgess at NSW Blues training. He is keen on a coaching career (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

SAM’S DEBT

Surely Sam Burgess can’t be serious about choosing Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins ahead of the Rabbitohs for an assistant coaching role next year. Burgess has been on full medical retirement pay (about $2.7 million) at Souths for three years. The club also stood by him during tough times in his personal life.

LOWLIGHT

A soft two-game suspension for Gold Coast Titans forward Jarrod Wallace for a shocking spear tackle on the Knights’ Simi Sasagi on Friday night. Do we really have to wait for a another player to break his neck before the NRL starts to hand down appropriate penalties?

LOWLIGHT II

Roosters hooker Sam Verrills being penalised for a textbook tackle on Penrith forward Scott Sorensen in a game-changing stuff-up by referee Gerard Sutton. He should be axed but he won’t be.

RLWC FARCE

The rugby league world rankings are a complete joke. We have no problem with New Zealand being ranked No.1 but Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos are No.4 behind Tonga and England. This puts New Zealand and Australia on the same side of the draw and means they can’t both play in the final. It is robbing fans of what could have been an all-time classic.

FADING SEA EAGLES

Manly’s fitness is a real concern in the run home to the finals. They conceded four tries in the last five minutes against Storm and three tries in the last seven minutes against the Cowboys. They also butchered a 20-10 lead against Parramatta at the back end of the game. A couple of their forwards don’t look anywhere near fit enough.

SPOTTED

Former referee Gavin Badger in the Wests Tigers coaching box in Auckland while his wife Kasey was in charge of the same game from the NRL bunker in Eveleigh.

360 VIEW

Catch you on NRL 360 on Fox League at 6.30pm on Monday night with Braith Anasta, Paul Kent and David Riccio to discuss all the issues from the weekend and the State of Origin teams.