Sam Burgess is also present in Redfern after retirement. The former captain returns to offer advice to players from South Sydney on Tuesday.
Burgess, who was retired at the end of last season due to a chronic shoulder injury, was unable to visit his old team due to COVID 19 restrictions, but was back on deck during training.
Prop Junior Tatola, who was looked after by the double international Burgess while at the club, said it was good to hear from him as they prepared for the NRL duel with Canterbury on Sunday evening.
“He pulled me aside and talked to some of the guys and told us how we were doing and what we needed to improve,” said Tatola.
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“He said we have to play together as a team and also as a striker, because sometimes we are a little disconnected with one-off transmissions so we can do better that way.”
With three wins and four losses in ninth place on the competition ladder, Tatola admitted that they had missed Burgess’ experience and presence.
“His presence is pretty big when he’s in the field with us, so we miss him out there,” he said.
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“He brings a lot of leadership and energy, but I have full confidence in the boys we have here and new leaders can move up.”
Tom Burgess added that he missed playing next to his brother, who gave the cast an “aura”.
But he felt that Tatola had moved seamlessly from his bank role to replacing the older Burgess as a starting support.
“Junior came in and kept his seat on the bench and he grew continuously as a player and as a guy and he really became his own.”
He admitted that the Rabbitohs had to reduce their assembly errors and penalties, which proved costly in the last round’s loss to the Panthers.
“I think we can fix that pretty easily – there are only small details in the execution.”
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