Buzz: Busted Bunnies on the brink
THE day started out with chairman Nick Pappas proudly announcing on Twitter that it was the 15th anniversary of South Sydney’s reinstatement to the NRL.
Within hours we got the latest dramatic instalment of the implosion that has left the 2014 premiers in crisis following
the revelation centre Kirisome Auva’a was facing a 12-week drug ban.
What more could go wrong?
Since winning the NRL premiership, almost everything has gone wrong for South Sydney.
Two players almost dying from drug overdoses, the Arizona cover-up, the sacking of a grand final-winning skipper and a 22-week domestic violence ban.
A star player in a boozy fallout with the Hollywood owner, five players forced out by a million-dollar signing. A player being stood down for disciplinary reasons and another who verbally slammed the coach on his departure to another club. And three different CEO’s
Welcome to the soap opera that is now the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
It’s hard to believe less than two years ago this club was again the pride of the league. The premiers, more members and more merchandise sales than any other club. And more hope for a great future.
Then suddenly it all falls apart. Crowds are down 17 per cent compared to 2014.
They have lost their past five games and would need to win seven of their remaining nine to sneak into the finals with 28 points.
It’s a tough, almost impossible ask, especially as they face the Broncos, Storm, Sharks and Bulldogs in the run home.
One of the problems is that coach Michael Maguire has probably gone from being too hard to too soft. From a military style to a more a relaxed approach.
Senior players fronted him last year and said his style was too severe and too demanding. He was losing the dressing room and needed to step back and lower the intensity. It was no longer fun. Maguire took it all on board.
Now he never criticises the team, even after five straight losses. Like his remarks after Sunday’s 20-0 loss to the Cowboys.
“The boys are showing plenty of character about where we are as a club,” or “The effort was there” or “we’re growing as a group.”
It used to be: “That was terrible, they didn’t tackle, we didn’t have a go.”
It’s like now he’s almost too scared to tell the players what he really thinks.
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has been unabel to rediscover that winning formula.
There are other issues too. While their army of supporters were thrilled to get failed England rugby union convert Sam Burgess back, it seems a lot of the players weren’t.
Certainly not on his reported pay packet of $1.2 million which not only soaked up any available third parties but, outside of Greg Inglis, doubled the contracts of every other player.
It forced the club to shove five first grade regulars out the door – Issac Luke, Chris McQueen, Dylan Walker, Glenn Stewart, and Tim Grant. Throw in the departure of Ben Te’o from the premiership winning team and it’s easy to see why they are now struggling.
Especially as Burgess has failed to reproduce any of his 2014 form. Not that this a crisis the club is prepared to discuss in public.
Sam Burgess has failed to deliver on his big pay cheque.
Owner Russell Crowe, chairman Nick Pappas, CEO Blake Solly and Maguire refused to return phone calls, text messages or emails on Wednesday.
To hell with the members and fans, many of whom are rightfully demanding answers.
*The Rabbitohs finally issued a statement on the Auva’a drug ban last night. It read:
“South Sydney Rabbitohs are aware of an NRL notice of contravention that has been issued to player Kirisome Auva’a following a second breach of the NRL’s Testing Policy for illicit and hazardous substances.
“Auva’a did not return a positive test for an illicit or hazardous substance, but contravened the rules as set out in the NRL Policy.
“The player had until 4pm today (Wednesday) to lodge an appeal. Neither Auva’a nor his representatives have chosen to do so.
“The Rabbitohs will be following a process; in conjunction with the NRL, RLPA and the player; regarding possible sanctions, rehabilitation and support. This will be discussed at a Football Club Board meeting next week.”
