Rabbitohs to make major coaching change as club sits last on the ladder after horror start to the NRL season
- South Sydney is at the bottom of the ladder after six rounds
- Coach Jason Demetriou is under extreme pressure
- This comes despite the fact that the party has several big stars
David Furner is set to return to South Sydney’s coaching staff as Jason Demetriou’s side look to revive their stuttering NRL season.
The Rabbitohs have begun talks with Furner, Tim Sheens’ assistant at Wests Tigers last season, to rejoin the club.
Furner previously served as an assistant coach.
It is understood Furner is yet to sign on the dotted line but the club, who are ranked 17th on the NRL ladder, are looking to offer Demetriou experience as part of its coaching staff.
Last year, the Rabbitohs recommended to Demetriou during the club’s end-of-year review to hire a senior assistant to replace John Morris and Sam Burgess.
Jason Demetriou remains head coach of South Sydney – despite a poor start to the NRL season
Latrell Mitchell’s three-week ban couldn’t have come at a worse time for the embattled South Sydney coach
David Furner is set to return to South Sydney’s coaching staff as Jason Demetriou’s side look to revive their stuttering NRL season (pictured, during his previous spell at the club in 2018)
Demetriou instead promoted NSW Cup coach Joe O’Callaghan – and he also overlooked the option of introducing Furner at the end of 2023 as an outright swap for Burgess.
Furner is tipped to focus heavily on defense upon his return.
“I have a good relationship with David and I know he will have a good impact,” Demetriou told the BBC Sydney Morning Herald.
It’s an area the Rabbitohs need to improve – and quickly.
They give up an average of 32.6 points per game, which is the worst defensive record in the league.
Ominously, South Sydney has the second-worst attacking record in the league with an average of 15.6 points per game, which is unacceptable given the skill of Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton with ball in hand.
Furner was head coach of the Raiders from 2009 to 2013 before landing assistant coaching roles with the Knights, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Tigers and now the Rabbitohs in recent years.
South Sydney are next in action against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park on Anzac Day.