- Wayne Bennett open to Sam Burgess returning at Souths
- Burgess left after a fight with Jason Demetriou last year
- Bennett praised Burgess’ exploits with Warrington
Wayne Bennett has praised Sam Burgess’ debut season as head coach, opening the door to a possible return to South Sydney for his favorite football son.
Bennett, 74, confirmed his return to the Rabbitohs in 2025 after signing a $3.6 million contract that will keep him in the game until he is 77.
The super coach faced the media on Tuesday to discuss the move, and attention inevitably turned to Burgess’s exploits in England, where he led Warrington Wolves to third place in Super League.
Burgess worked with Bennett during his first spell at Souths but resigned last year under manager Jason Demetriou, claiming the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were receiving preferential treatment.
Wayne Bennett has opened the door for Sam Burgess’ return to South Sydney
Burgess left last year amid a disagreement over the treatment of star players.
But Bennett is apparently willing to overlook that minor hurdle if Burgess is ever willing to return, although he insisted the Englishman needs his own space to develop as a coach.
“Sam is doing a great job in Warrington and needs that time and space there to do it,” Bennett said. ‘We will see what the future holds for us. He is a very good person.
Ben Hornby is currently in charge of the Bunnies on an interim basis until the end of 2024, and Bennett said there is room for Hornby on his staff if he decides to stay.
“Absolutely, 100 percent,” he said when asked if he would allow Hornby to stay. ‘We are great friends.
He has done an excellent job in his first head coaching role with Warrington Wolves.
‘We won a premiership together (in St George Illawarra in 2010). We’re on the same page about our thoughts on the game.
‘It’s also strong enough to tell me when I’m out of order, and vice versa. I have a great relationship with him. He is a very good coach.
‘He is not my opponent (this year). He’s got the easiest coaching job in the NRL at the moment in the sense that I’ll be there with him next year, he’s trying to keep the club together (and) he’s doing a really good job, while he waits for the new coach to come in . when he starts the new season.
