More tidings indicate that Sam Burgess is on the NRL shortlist for the Warrington Wolves

The South Sydney Rabbitohs’ terrible start to the season hasn’t stopped, which has increased rumors that the NRL team may try to sign Sam Burgess.

According to sources, Souths, who are now anchored at the bottom of the NRL league with just one win out of five games, are asking head coach Jason Demtriou a lot of tough questions both from the Australian media and from within the team.

Demetriou is under increasing criticism because of the way Souths have lost, giving up a league-high 162 points while only scoring 72, which is the second-lowest amount in the NRL.

This stands in stark contrast to Warrington Wolves, who, under Sam Burgess, are the highest-scoring team in the Super League with 214 points from seven games, five victories out of seven.

The former Wakefield Trinity player hasn’t lost his job at Souths yet, but according to many in Australia, it’s a waiting game. Souths’ upcoming opponents include the Melbourne Storm, the undefeated Cronulla Sharks, and the reigning champion Penrith Panthers.

Journalist Phil “Buzz” Rothfield stated on Big Sports Breakfast that Demetriou’s “days are numbered” following an NRL round-bottom finish for the first time in 14 years.

“Over the past month, the chairman, CEO, and board have steadfastly supported their coach through some very trying circumstances, but I believe that patience has run out.

“His time is running out. If they can get up from this Cronulla game, it might postpone the processes and the coach’s move, but as it stands, I believe it’s over. They are now going to have an internal review.

Several Australian publications have already identified Sam Burgess as the front-runner to succeed Demetriou and try to turn things around at Souths.

Warrington could face task to keep Sam Burgess

Credit: Imago Images

Whilst there have already been murmurings earlier this season that Sam Burgess was on the NRL watchlist after Warrington’s impressive start to the season, those talks were shut down by the club.

Warrington emphatically shut down those talks with club Chief Executive Officer Karl Fitzpatrick explaining that there was “no chance”.

Fitzpatrick told the Daily Telegraph in Australia, “There’s no chance of us releasing Sam early, Sam’s a man of integrity and wouldn’t go back on his word. He’s got a two-year deal.”

Regardless of Fitzpatrick’s staunch stance, the name Sam Burgess keeps being banded about by those down under with Fox Sports naming him as “in the mix”, whilst The Daily Mail went further as they labelled him a “contender”.

There seems no reason for Sam Burgess to leave Warrington with the Wolves going well at the moment, sitting second in Super League with their only losses coming home and away to Catalans Dragons.

Warrington’s Challenge Cup matchup against St Helens would be a major indicator that the Wire are competitive contenders for the trophy in 2024, but every victory will undoubtedly draw more attention from overseas to Burgess.

In his last season at The Dolphins, former Souths great and England coach Wayne Bennett is rumored to be returning with the maestro before handing over the head coaching job to assistant and former Saints manager Kristian Woolf.

Sam Burgess will undoubtedly receive a lot of attention until a decision is reached about his coaching position with the Souths. Given his stellar start to his coaching career, he has earned it.