NRL 2023: Breakdown of South Sydney Rabbitohs’ chaotic day

On a day of high drama at Heffron Park, South Sydney CEO Blake Solly and head coach Jason Demetriou were forced to hose down claims of back-stabbing and infighting after Sam Burgess’s shock exit.

South Sydney assistant coach Sam Burgess leaving the clubs Heffron Centre on Wednesday morning following a meeting. Picture: Julian Andrews

Don’t ever change rugby league.

On a day that only the greatest game of all can produce, South Sydney legend Sam Burgess walked out on the club, fellow assistant coach John Morris was let go to the embattled Wests Tigers and the Rabbitohs hierarchy hosed down claims of back-stabbing and infighting within the four walls of the Pride of the League.

The Rabbitohs’ most dramatic day of the season began at 7am with Burgess meeting with chairman Nick Pappas and CEO Blake Solly at the Rabbitohs Heffron Park Centre of Excellence in Sydney.

Just after 9am, the 2014 premiership-winner emerged with his head lowered to a gathering of media before hopping into a car driven by his fiancee Lucy Graham, offering little by way of clarity over his future, leaving a 10.01am joint statement with South Sydney to declare his tenure over.

Solly and head coach Jason Demetriou then front the press at 11.36am where Burgess’ off-field workload, including his preparation to become the head coach of Super League club Warrington and the impending arrival of a baby with Graham, was explained as the overriding factors in his swift departure.

(L-R) South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou and CEO Blake Solly pictured at a press conference. Picture: Julian Andrews

“I’ve made the decision to step away from South Sydney, given the circumstances,’’ Burgess said.

“My immediate focus is the upcoming birth of our baby and preparing for my new role at Warrington.”

The decision for Burgess to exit the club immediately had been fast tracked after reports emerged that claimed the respected figurehead, along with Morris, weren’t aligned with head coach Jason Demetriou.

Demetriou flatly denied the assertion.

According to Solly, both Burgess and Morris were asked to attend at a Wednesday morning meeting if they were committed to the club’s desperate pursuit of a finals berth, which starts and ends with beating the Sydney Roosters next Friday night.

THE MEETING

Solly said both Burgess and Morris were asked a simple question about their ongoing tenure

“There was a discussion with both assistant coaches as to whether they wanted to be here and try to finish the season off as well as we could,’’ Solly said.

“The question was asked of everyone: Is that the preference to get on and work together for the rest of the season? John was yes. Sam and the club agreed that Sam has got some other priorities to work on.

“His partner Lucy is about to give birth – to a baby.

“He’s got the Warrington job and he’s becoming increasingly involved with the preparation for next season.

“Sam felt that it was in his best interests not to.

“They’re the two major reasons why Sam and the club agreed today it was in everyone’s best interests that he is allowed to focus on those two issues.

“Sam will always be welcome at the club.”

“That’s not the discussion we had with Sam this morning, that he felt let down by the club at all.”

Solly was quick to pour cold water on rumours that Burgess and Morris were responsible for leaking team information to the press.

“I can say categorically there’s no suggestion here at the club that Sam and John have leaked any information to the press in the last few weeks and months,’’ Solly said.

South Sydney assistant coach John Morris (centre) with other training staff this morning. Picture: Julian Andrews

TIMING OF SAM’S DEPARTURE

With the eighth-placed Rabbitohs season on the line next Friday night against the Roosters, the timing of Burgess’ exit has stunned Rabbitohs fans.

However, Solly simply said the time was right.

“The decision was made after a good conversation with Sam and some of the board and football management today,’’ Solly said.

“Sam will always be a legend of the club. Sam will always be welcome at this club. His deeds speak for themselves.

“Sam didn’t have a conversation that he was let down by the club.’’

RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS ASSISTANTS

Demetriou also denied any rift with his staff and said he hoped that Burgess would one day return to Souths.

“I have no issue, I have never had an issue with John Morris. Let’s just make that very clear,’’ Demetriou said.

“At no time did I think there was anything going on untoward.

“Sam’s made his decision. I wish him well. I think Sam’s going to be a great coach in Warrington.

“I’ve got no doubt he’ll be back here one day.

“I didn’t want Sam out of the club, no. But it is what it is, the decision has been made.”

FUTURE OF JOHN MORRIS

It was at the press conference that Demetriou offered little clarity over Morris’ future – who is off-contract at Souths this year – beyond this season.

“John Morris will be in this club right now and he’ll be coaching here over the next few weeks,’’ Demetriou said.

However, by 4.13pm on Wednesday afternoon, the Wests Tigers released a statement to declare Morris had been appointed rookie coach Benji Marshall’s assistant coach on a four-year deal from 2024.

It means that neither Burgess or Morris will be at Souths next season with Demetriou relying on Ben Hornby as his senior assistant.

DEMETRIOU’S FUTURE

Demetriou has agreed to a contract extension until the end of 2026, however the club are yet to publicly announce the deal.

Solly shot down any suggestion of anything untoward with the contract extension.

“Is he here for the next three years? Yes,” Solly reaffirmed.

JUST IN: @SSFCRABBITOHS CEO
Blake Solly explains Sam Burgess exit from club. @telegraph_sportpic.twitter.com/6Ud9ghu3Tw

— David Riccio (@DaveRic1) August 23, 2023

THE INFLUENCE

Demetriou was asked if star fullback Latrell Mitchell garnered too much influence over the side.

“Latrell’s a marquee player for us. He’s a player that we believe and I definitely believe can win us a premiership,” Demetriou said.

“Any conversations I have with Latrell and with the team will remain in-house. And that’s how it should be.

“Latrell’s a big presence, as Sam was when he was playing. He’s part of a leadership team.

“Cameron Murray’s our team and he’s doing a fantastic job

“Is he dominating the club? No. It’s just a comment that’s ridiculous.”

CAPTAIN’S RUN CLASH

Demetriou scoffed at the assertion of any strain in his relationship with Walker.

“Honestly, I have a conflict and a crack with players all the time,’’ Demetriou said.

“If we’re going to write a story about everyone who has a crack on the field …

“We’re under pressure. There’s no doubt about that.

“And tensions, they fly sometimes. But it’s not a drama.

“One minute we’re saying we’re too soft of them and they’re running the club and the next minute I’m falling out with everyone.

“So which one is it? Am I too hard on them and fighting them? Or am I too soft on them and letting them run the club?

People can say and do what they like. I know what’s going on inside the four walls. I know my relationship with Cody and Latrell, in particular and I know the value of both of those guys.’’

Latrell Mitchell at training on Wednesday. Picture: Julian Andrews

ON-FIELD STRUGGLES

Demetriou said the team were committed to moving through the turmoil and to emerge against the Roosters by securing a spot in the finals.

“At the moment we’re lacking confidence and you can see that out on the field,’’ Demetriou said.

“You can see that there’s doubt and there’s a lot of noise going on between the ears.

“And when that happens sometimes your body language doesn’t look great and that doesn’t reflect well to the people watching the game.

“We’re working really hard to address that.

“We’ll bunker down and come together as a group and prepare for the Roosters.’’

COOK FUMES OVER LEAKY SHIP

South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has slammed the public leaks emerging from embattled club.

The Rabbitohs are in crisis amid alleged fall out among senior players, infighting and coaches at loggerheads.

And it’s all being made public.

“When you get 36 guys and staff at a club, sometimes you’re going to have issues,” Cook told the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.

“But you can deal with that inside the four walls and that’s what I feel we have done really well over the years.

“(But) there is some information getting out and that’s what upsets me the most, if someone inside the club is speaking about what’s going on.

“Everyone is going to have issues at every workplace and it’s about dealing with them in your own time.

“That’s the most disappointing thing, there are leaks coming from within the four walls.

“Having stuff leaked out of those four walls, that’s not a good issue at all.”

Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs. Getty Images

Cook denied reports that Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were held to different standards compared with teammates.

“I read the headlines about double standards but they are part of the leadership group along with myself, Cam Murray and a couple of others,” Cook said.

“To say that they are at different standards would be pretty hard to say because Latrell is the one who sets the standards. They are the ones that lead that from the front and set the standards of our group.

“I’m not sure where that sort of stuff comes from. I’d like to think our meetings are pretty open and honest. Anyone can speak.

“The one thing we’re trying to bring is being more honest and having more feedback because that’s how you get the best out of your playing group.

“We are losing and everything is a lot worse when you’re losing.”

Cook was unsure about rumours that assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris would today be released from the club.

“It was a massive shock reading about that. I tried to message Sam but no doubt his phone was going off but there was no response,” Cook said.

“There is a bit of noise off the field and it’s not good timing.

“This is an opportunity for us as a playing group to get together and have a chat and we realise we are the ones on the field.”

“I am reading as much as you guys and no doubt we will find out more information on (Wednesday) morning.”

“We’re not doing too well and we should be doing a lot better so the media has a free shot to try and tear us apart. We’re an easy target at the moment.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Breakdown of South Sydney Rabbitohs’ chaotic day