Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold defends Sam Burgess over Josh Morris elbow incident

SOUTHS coach Anthony Seibold has defended superstar Englishman Sam Burgess over a controversial elbowing incident, saying: “Every second carry in the game is like that”.

Sam Burgess was put on report for lifting his elbow.

SOUTHS coach Anthony Seibold has defended superstar Englishman Sam Burgess over a controversial elbowing incident, saying: “Every second carry in the game is like that”.

Outstanding in the Bunnies dramatic Good Friday win, Burgess still faces a nervous wait on Sunday after being reported for a carry off his own tryline in the 57th minute, where he appeared to elbow Canterbury centre Josh Morris high.

After the contact, Morris fell to the ground clutching at an area near the base of his throat.

The Bunker then replayed the contact, ruling a penalty against Burgess while also placing the No. 10 on report.

Yet when asked afterwards about the decision, Seibold said he was “filthy” with the call.

BUNNIES V DOGS: Referees steal show in Good Friday thriller

Sam Burgess was put on report for lifting his elbow in this tackle.

“That was a massive decision by The Bunker to overturn that,” he said. “If you look at that carry, every second carry in the game is like that.

“I didn’t agree with it. Thought was a massive call.”

Asked why he disagreed when Morris appeared to be clutching at his throat, Seibold continued: “There was no intent from Sam.

“He didn’t lead with his elbow.

“I was filthy about it at the time, there’s no way in the world that’s a penalty against us.

“I’ve watched it a couple of times already ... if Morris doesn’t stay down there there’s no way that is overturned.”

Asked for his own defence, Burgess added: “Things are going to happen in a contact sport.

“I’m running the ball as hard as I can and he’s trying to tackle me. I certainly didn’t mean to raise an arm.”

Sam Burgess was placed on report for lifting his elbow in a tackle.

Burgess added that while he tried to plead his case with referee Ben Cummins “he didn’t give me an answer ... he wasn’t talking to me all day”.

Elsewhere, the Bunnies also revealed they had practised for the scenario that saw them storm home to score two tries in the final six minutes.

“We’ve practised scenarios where we had to chase points with a certain amount of time to go,” Seibold said.

“We did a lot of drills in the pre-season where we put scenarios on the scoreboard with the clock ticking down.

“So when we were down by six with seven to go ... that was a scenario we’ve practised numerous times. The boys were talking about that on the field.

“Saying that it was a training scenario.

“So we were really confident we could give ourselves a chance.

“And we found a way.”

Seibold also backed the goalkicking of halfback Adam Doueihi, despite the youngster hooking a gimme late which would have drawn the scores.

“(Assistant coach) David Furner has been doing a lot of extra sessions with Adam,” he said. “It’s certainly not through a lack of preparation.”