Following Sam Burgess’ decision to withdraw from consideration for the next head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, a new frontrunner has surfaced, and it’s a figure well-known to Super League enthusiasts.
Jason Demetriou, the current Souths coach, is facing escalating scrutiny and is widely anticipated to be dismissed from his position if the team fails to secure a victory in their upcoming match against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday.
Having faced a challenging beginning to the year in his role at the Redfern club, the former Wakefield Trinity player has only managed to secure one win out of the first six games, resulting in Souths languishing at 16th place on the NRL ladder.
Amid South Sydney’s diminishing hopes of making it to the 2024 finals, reports from Australia suggest that the leadership at the club is poised to instigate a change, with a successor already seemingly lined up.
As for the next head coach at South Sydney, recent developments indicate that David Furner is a prominent candidate. Last Wednesday (April 17), the Rabbitohs announced Furner’s return to the club as an assistant coach, a position he previously held during the 2017 season before departing to assume the role of head coach at Leeds Rhinos in 2018.
However, Furner’s tenure at Headingley was short-lived, lasting merely 14 games, as he was dismissed by the Rhinos after a string of 10 losses left them perilously close to relegation from Super League.
Following his departure from Leeds, the former back-rower has served as an assistant coach at various clubs including the Newcastle Knights, Canterbury Bulldogs, and Wests Tigers. Despite being a free agent since September last year, Furner’s recent appointment indicates a return to coaching.
The Rabbitohs’ announcement of Furner’s return has been framed as the final piece in a coaching dream team puzzle, highlighting his previous collaboration with Demetriou as assistant coaches at the Premiership-winning North Queensland Cowboys in 2015.
However, the timing of Furner’s reintroduction has sparked speculation, with observers suggesting it may serve as a strategic move by the Souths board to alleviate pressure on the embattled Demetriou.
While some media outlets, such as WAtoday, interpret Furner’s appointment as part of a contingency plan for a potential coaching overhaul at South Sydney in the near future.
According to reports, if the Rabbitohs suffer defeats in their next two matches, it is anticipated that Demetriou will be relieved of his duties, with Furner poised to step into the head coach role in an effort to salvage what has been a tumultuous season.
With critical fixtures against Melbourne in Melbourne and a home clash against Premiers Penrith looming, the Rabbitohs are aware of the mounting challenges facing Demetriou. The move to bring in Furner is seen as a subtle first step towards redirecting the trajectory of their season, though public statements may suggest otherwise until any potential turnaround occurs.
