South Sydney CEO Blake Solly has indicated the club will forge ahead with plans for Sam Burgess to coach the Rabbitohs’ SG Ball team next season.
The former club captain last week stood down from his role as an assistant to Wayne Bennett in response to explosive claims published in The Australian newspaper.
Burgess is under investigation by both NSW Police and the NRL Integrity Unit after the bombshell report accused the ex-England international of alleged drug use and domestic violence.
The 31-year-old’s lawyer denied all allegations made against his client during a court appearance for a separate matter on Wednesday and also accused Burgess’ ex-wife Phoebe of spreading ‘orchestrated propaganda’.
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Burgess and fellow Rabbitohs legend John Sutton were recently appointed as co-coaches for the club’s SG Ball side in 2021.
As first reported by Fairfax Media, Solly confirmed Burgess will take the reins of the under-19s team next season in response to a member’s question about the Rabbitohs’ ongoing partnership with Souths Juniors.
“I think last week it was announced that the Juniors and the senior club will have a closer relationship on the pathways, Sam Burgess and John Sutton will be the coaches of our SG Ball team next year which is a first,” Solly said in the video posted to the club’s official website on Thursday.
All SG Ball coaches must be cleared by the NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) before commencing a head coaching role.
Burgess played 270 NRL games for the Rabbitohs before his shock retirement last October.
The dual international has previously expressed his ambitions to pursue a coaching career.
