Sam Burgess is loving life again.
The Rabbitohs legend is back at the club as an assistant coach but onlookers at pre-season training would be forgiven for thinking he’s still playing.
Burgess still takes part in all the fitness sessions and hasn’t lost his title as the club’s chief storyteller in between drills.
“I’m back on my feet, it’s good,” Burgess told foxsports.com.au.
Round 1
MORE NRL NEWS ‘ALL BUT DONE’: Cook reveals new Souths deal after club rejects three-year extension TRANSFER CENTRE: Bulldogs sign banished NRL star after doping ban GOAT DEBATE: How Nathan Cleary compares to the best halfbacks of all time INVESTIGATION: Radley’s nervous wait as NRL seeks update on WC incident ‘OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE’: How boxing champ fared at Rabbitohs training Bennett has been struggling to recruit players to the Dolphins – who will enter the NRL next season – despite pursuing several Souths stars he coached at the Rabbitohs. Demetriou, who spent five years under Bennett as an assistant before succeeding him at Souths, was always confident of landing Burgess and coudln’t resist a cheeky dig at his former mentor. “He hasn’t been able to get any of our players, Wayne, so… Sammy loves the club, this is where he wants to be and it’s been good we’ve been able to make it happen,” Demetriou said. “Wayne is building his team up there and in Round 7 next year we’ll get to lock horns and see how we go.” Burgess has made no secret of his desire to be a head coach i nthe NRL one day, but emphasised he’s in no rush. “It’s totally different now on the other side of the fence really but I’m pretty intertwined with the players still, I’ve got great relationships with most of them,” he said. “The majority of the work since I got back has been with the younger players, fringe players. “This week has probably been the best week back with experience back, we get to do a bit more quality work, so it’s been really good. “I’m enjoying where I’m at now, I’m enjoying what I’m bringing here and helping out with the staff here. “There’s a lot of work in it so there’s no rush. I’d like to be a head coach one day but only when the time is right and the right place.” MORE NRL NEWS ‘WASN’T HAPPY’: Eels legend ‘baffled’ by star’s decision to cop ban over fine NEW ERA: Tommy Turbo breaks silence on Des sacking and Manly future FREE AGENCY: Eels’ $2m problem that won’t go away; Panthers’ house of cards ‘DISAPPOINTED’:League legend responds to NRL’s call to block Manly move Burgess revealed he’s taking part in the fitness sessions as part of a bet with star five-eighth Cody Walker. “I’ve got a little challenge with Cody Walker. We’ve got a skinfold challenge up until Christmas just to keep each other honest,” he said. “Cody is winning. But I’m trying to keep fit around the young fellas, it’s good to get a chance to run. “I ran with Damien Cook on the first lap and then blew my legs out but nah first couple of weeks back it took me a while to get into it but now I feel all right.” Demetriou said Burgess was in such good shape that he’d consider playing him if only his body could handle the contact. “He’s going great and still running around the big fella, if he didn’t have a dodgy shoulder I could probably play him,” Demetriou said. Radley should be allowed to play for NSW | 00:58 “He’s been good, brings a lot of energy and is keen to learn which is good. He knows this club inside out so having his experience in and around the place will be valuable. “He’s got that aurora about him, he’s been there and done that and he’s learning how to do that as a coach now.” Burgess played under Demetriou when he was an assistant at Souths and said his development has been nothing short of incredible. Demetriou took Souths to the preliminary final in his first season in charge, despite losing star halfback Adam Reynolds to the Broncos. “It’s been amazing. He’s been so great for the club, he’s a really passionate guy,” Burgess said. “He did such a good job with them last year, I thought he managed some parts extremely well. He’s great to work with and he’s got the experience. “He’s a good character, a young bloke, fits in well with the players, he’s a great guy.” Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
