Will Wayne Bennett keep both Burgess twins once he arrives at Redfern

WAYNE Bennett’s arrival at South Sydney promises to have serious ramifications on the playing roster but no player will come under the pump more than the Burgess twins.

Souths Sam Burgess with his brothers Tom and George after victory in the South Sydney v St. George-Illawarra NRL Semi Final at ANZ Stadium, Homebush. Picture: Brett Costello

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WAYNE Bennet’s signing at the South Sydney Rabbitohs will have serious ramifications on the playing futures of twins Tom and George Burgess.

Souths head of football Shane Richardson is in the UK talking to Bennett and the Burgess’ agent Chris Caisley about their futures. Both are off contract next year.

What will Bennett do with the Burgess trio? Photo by Matt King/Getty Images.

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Back in 2011 when he was about to start at the Newcastle Knights, Bennett revealed his long-held philosophy that front-rowers should not be paid more than $300,000 per season after owner Nathan Tinkler had already spent big bucks for the Sharks’ Test prop Kade Snowden.

With inflation, that figure would now be around the $500,000 mark.

Souths have already paid big Sam Burgess more than $1 million-a-season as their marquee middle forward. Bennett also wants to bring his boom Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jnr to Redfern.

Will Bennett keep the two stars? Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

There’s been talk he also had a crack at Trent Merrin. This means Souths can’t keep both Tom and George.

Richardson has publicly stated that he is in charge of recruitment – not Bennett.

We’ll see how long that lasts.

Bennett is close to both George and Tom as their Test coach with England.

But the Burgess boys are now 26, an age when front-rowers normally peak.

Their next contracts will set them up for the rest of their lives.

Souths may have to choose between Tom and George. Picture by Mark Evans.

We’re tipping Souths will keep one of them, most likely Tom.

Unless they decide to go elsewhere in a package deal.

Almost every club in the NRL will be chasing them.

Souths can’t pay them what their rivals can because they already have Greg Inglis and halfback Adam Reynolds on big coin and they are about to upgrade Test hooker Damien Cook and boom forward Cameron Murray.

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